Just because a flimflam is legal, doesn’t make it right. Take Statistics Canada’s ‘Canadian Community Health Survey’, for example. Our Dunvegan household was one of those randomly chosen for what the agency’s introductory letter said was intended to “gather information about the health and well-being of Canadians.” I felt it only fair to do my part, so I agreed to participate when the StatsCan interviewer called. However, over the course of the 45-minute interrogation, it was increasingly obvious that this was a survey with a hidden agenda.
Naturally, there were the obvious demographic questions… for example, the names and ages of all residents in our household (plus our dates of birth, which I assume was a trick question to detect the onset of feeble-mindedness). Next came gender… and sexual preference, which after an awkward pause, the interviewer clarified by asking if I was heterosexual. I was also a bit taken aback by the bluntness of her “are you white?” question, rather than a more open-ended one about my ethnicity. This was followed by an overview of my medical history.
With the housekeeping items out of the way, the survey got down to the nitty-gritty. However, rather than probing to see where I saw gaps, even hairline cracks, in the country’s healthcare system, the interviewer asked a series of very specific questions instead. These fell into three broad categories: pharmaceuticals, dental care and mental health. (For respondents with fewer liver spots, child daycare questions might also have been included in the script.) You’ll note that that these topics align perfectly with the recent announcements made by the New Diberal Party. In other words, this “survey” was really about predetermined solutions in search of a problem.
Doubler header at park
Like so many organizations, the Dunvegan Recreation Association is playing Covid Catch-up. One important piece of business that the pandemic steamrollered was the dedication of the Clark-MacIntosh Park. A joint venture between the DRA and the Township of North Glengarry, the facility was completed in 2018. However, delays in erecting signage and then public health restrictions have prevented holding an official opening. This is no longer the case.
On Saturday, May 28th from 2:00 to 4:00 pm, everyone is invited to a very special “Meet Your Neighbour” event at the park that will include the long overdue dedication ceremony. As the sign proclaims, the park has been named in honour of two local farmers who were instrumental in the formation of the Dunvegan Recreation Association in the early 1970s… Leslie Clark and Weldon MacIntosh. It’s the DRA’s hope that residents of the Dunvegan area, both old and new, will join with Leslie and Weldon’s relatives, Township officials, DRA President Kim Raymond and her Executive Committee and past and present Association members and others to officially cut the ribbon. If you’ve never been there, this spiffy, almost new, facility is located at the corner of County Road 30 and Murray Street, right across from the church hall. I’m told there will be snacks, beverages and games for the kids. I’ve even seen mention of a possible Bouncy Castle.
It’s also recommended you stick around and take part in the DRA’s almost annual “Meet Your Neighbour” event. First held in 2012, the informal get-together is an excellent opportunity to meet your fellow Dunveganites. As old-timers will tell you, good neighbours are a blessing. And it’s events like this one that let everyone get a little bit better acquainted and help build a strong community. As I wrote many years ago, “…why not take a moment or two to show your support for the community in which YOU chose to live — even if getting involved isn’t your thing. There’s no cost to attend and no pressure to volunteer for anything. It’s just a bunch of friendly folks who’d like to say a simple hello.” I hope to see you there.
Only one house left
Donald Clark was in town last week and dropped by to pick up a few items he had loaned me for the column. Born and raised on Stewart Glen Road, Donald lived in the little house at the top of Alice Street in Dunvegan, before moving to Cornwall around 2009, if memory serves me. While here, he let slip that he was turning 75 this year and was holding a party at the RCAF Wing on Water Street in Cornwall. He admitted that it really wasn’t much of a secret as he had placed an ad in the Glengarry News inviting one and all. Unfortunately, the celebration was held last Saturday, May 7th. So, there was no way to include the notice in last Wednesday’s column. Nor could Terry and I attend. We had already made a commitment. Nevertheless, we’d like to extend our belated best wishes to Donald on the occasion of his 75th year as a member of the Dunvegan community.
As he was leaving, Donald brought to my attention the fact that there is only one house left in Dunvegan proper that is still in the hands of the family that originally built it… not counting homes constructed in the past fifty years. It’s the second house from the crossroads on the north side of Dunvegan Road. Robert Campbell is the present owner of the white clapboard, black tin roof cottage. His father, the late Jimmy Campbell, built it. He operated a droving business from there until ill health forced him to retire in 1988.
Mother’s Day game
Last Sunday, Janel Vrbetic and Don Sprague of downtown Dunvegan must have been on the edge of their seats as their son Joe and his North Bay Battalio teammates faced off against the Kingston Frontenacs. Joe was the starting goalie. To date, the 19 year-old, up-and-coming hockey star has played in two leagues over the course of his short career: the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League and the Ontario Hockey League. The Montreal Canadiens selected him in round seven of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft for his goaltending talent.
Unfortunately, over 16 minutes into overtime, the Kingston Frontenacs scored the winning goal for a hard-fought 5-4 victory over the North Bay Battalion. The win tied the teams’ Ontario Hockey League second-round playoff series at one game each. The series shifted to Kingston yesterday for Game 3. Game 4 will be in North Bay tomorrow night (Thursday). Joe: it’s doubtful your copy of the Glengarry News will arrive in time, but good luck. FYI, this same sentiment has been posted on the bulletin board outside the DRA Hall.
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