Every weekday around 7:43, a westbound motorcyclist passes by our place on Dunvegan Road. His commute would be unremarkable, but for the fact this young person so desires attention that he has replaced his machine’s standard muffler with one that I can hear until he’s well past the crossroads, 1.2 km away. Annoying? Very. Disrespectful? Absolutely. Illegal? Definitely. Punishable? Not easily… until now.
According to a report from France, the problem of car, truck and motorcycle owners who shred the air with their attention-seeking behaviour is a worldwide one. And both the French and the Germans are actively trying to solve it. Police enforcement of noise abatement laws can be challenging. However, sound energy can be measured… in decibels. And that’s what a new enforcement tool invented in France does.
Called Méduse (or Medusa, in English), the patented device features four appendages equipped with microphones. Hence its name. It was initially used to monitor ambient noise from construction sites in Paris by sampling the level and direction of the noise source several times a second. However, the firm has now added a camera and a license plate reader. The new “noise speed camera” as it’s called in France, allows authorities to identify noise scofflaws and automatically issue tickets.
From what I can tell, these units are portable, just like the speed-measuring signs that North Glengarry has been using off and on in communities across the township. My guess is that if Council purchased a test unit, it would pay for itself in short order.
Day of commemoration
For parishioners, and friends, of Dunvegan’s Kenyon Presbyterian Church who may have missed last week’s column, Rev. Jim has asked me to remind you that that the service at 11 am this coming September 4th is a very special one. It’s Dunvegan’s annual Memorial Sunday. The first service of September has traditionally been devoted to commemorating loved ones laid to rest in the church’s graveyard. Everyone is welcome to attend the serviceand enjoy the luncheon the congregation will be hosting in the church hall following worship.
Dr. Clément retires
For over thirty years, many people in the Dunvegan region have come to depend on Dr. Luc Clément from the St. Isidore Medical Clinic as their family physician, including Terry and me. An extremely caring doctor, I know for a fact he’s even made house calls to see elderly patients in the hamlet when they reached the palliative stage of care.
It has come to my attention that the news of Dr. Luc’s retirement is not very well known. I can’t explain why the Clinic has been so remiss in reaching out to his former patients. However, I can confirm that he has hung up his stethoscope; I spoke at his retirement party in St Isidore last Sunday. However, before you panic, he has not kicked his former patients to the curb like many of the horror stories I’ve heard. It’s my understanding that, to ensure a continuity of care, he has found two excellent physicians to replace him: Dr. Marie Anne Gougeon and Dr. Camille Cusson-Dufour. Knowing Dr. Clément as I do, I doubt he wouldhave chosen them if he didn’t feel they were up to the task. If Dr. Luc was your primary care provider, you may want to call the clinic at 613-524-3225 and ask who is taking over your file.
Ricola move over
The only time most of us have seen an alphorn being played is in a Ricola cough drop ad. However, they offer far more range than the simple two-note ‘tune’ used in the TV spot. The alphorn (alpenhorn, alpine horn or Swiss horn) looks like a nine or ten foot clay pipe, but made out of wood. It was originally carved from a single piece of red pine, by an instrument maker with seriously long arms. However, today’s modern alpenhorn breaks down into three pieces for ease of transport.
The reason I’m mentioning Alpenhorns is that I’ve learned they will the opening act on the musical entertainment playbill at this year’s Harvest Fall Festival, Sunday, September 11th. Alpenhorn enthusiasts Hans, Thomas and Walter Spuehler along with Luzy Blazer andSimon Jappert will be on hand to introduce you to this truly haunting folk music. They won’t be hard to find, just follow the sound to the open area near the entertainment stage.
Jim G’s back in town
More good news on the FallFest entertainment front. Former Dunveganite Jim Graham will play two sets with his granddaughter Grace under the musical entertainment tent… one in the morning and the other at the end of the day. Before moving to Elliot Lake, Jim had a very loyal following across the region delighting audiences from campfires and kitchen parties to ceilidhs and concerts.
Clip clops return
It’s official. A horse parade will once again have pride of place at this year’s Harvest Fall Festival in Dunvegan. The parade has been a huge crowd ever since Garry Howes introduced it so many years ago. But Covid put the kybosh on it for the past three years.
Well it’s back… one of the largest equestrian events of its kind in Eastern Ontario. The procession gets underway at 1:00 pm with the Quigley Highlanders Pipes and Drums leading a long cavalcade of horsemen and horsewomen, together with horse-drawn buggies, wagons and carts. If you want a good viewing spot along the parade route, don’t leave it to the last minute. Come early. Catch the ‘cow pie ‘ raffle draw or watch vintage farm machinery comeback to life.
For all the details, visit the museum’s web site: glengarrypioneermuseum.ca. The cost of admission to the festival 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. You can also purchase your admission and/or raffle tickets online.
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