I’m told that Stanley, Robert Campbell’s little dog, almost jumped out of his coat of curly fur with excitement when his master drove into the yard last Friday afternoon. Robert, after days of being poked, prodded and bored to the point of tears, had been released from the Ottawa Heart Institute a few hours before. While they could not explain why this lifelong Dunvegan resident has been experiencing chest pain of late, they were able to rule out the usual suspects and have asked that he follow up with his family doc and his cardiologist.
I saw his car was back in its customary space as I drove home from euchre last week, so I dropped in to say a brief hello. Robert had his dinner on the stove and was eager to enjoy something other than the bland hospital fare that I recall so well. Nevertheless, he wanted me to acknowledge all the kindness shown by his friends in and around Dunvegan… for their old-fashioned neighborliness, good wishes and for taking such good care of Stanley. Welcome home, Robert.
Eileen, you’re missed!
Since I’ve already made a brief reference above to Friday’s euchre luncheon, I’d best close the loop. Last week’s catered card game was one more in a growing list of well-attended DRA tournaments. Five full tables of enthusiasts passed through our doors for an afternoon of food and fun. The meal consisted of steaming hot beef & vegetable soup with open-faced grilled cheese “toasts” created by Linda Burgess, followed by a buffet of pickles, egg salad sandwiches, sliced ham and lettuce on soft dinner rolls and a tempting desserts.
The day’s “50/50” winners were Jeanne Lalonde, Phyllis Terry (twice), Ginette Lecuyer, Geraldine Bedard and Hugette Arsenault. (It should be noted that Phyllis is on a bit of a winning streak. On top of her double win in our draw, she also banked a healthy prize in the most recent Kiwanis Bingo game.)
As for top scores, Geraldine Bedard captured first prize. Edna Laflamme won second prize. And Douglas (Tigger). Benson pocketed third prize. The “Most Stars” prize was shared by Ann Stewart and Geraldine Bedard. Last but not least, the door prize went to Claire Van Putten.
The only sad note at Friday’s get together was the absence of Eileen MacGillivray. Eileen hasn’t been able to attend for two months in a row, and I’d like to go on record to say that her gentle way and warm smile is sadly missed. Fingers crossed we’ll see you in December.
Our annual Christmas-themed DRA Euchre Luncheon is scheduled for Friday, December 15th in the DRA Hall at 19053 County Road 24 from 12:00 noon to around 3:30 PM. Admission is only $5.00 and includes great food and cordial company.
Tickets going fast
On Sunday, I took in a dress rehearsal of this year’s DRA “Music & Mayhem” revue to check it out on your behalf. Sitting there for an hour and a half, laughing, chuckling, singing along and thoroughly enjoying myself wasn’t easy, but someone has to take on these tough assignments.
Now, Terry has sternly warned me to NOT give away too much detail and ruin it for you. However, my Columnist Oath requires that I at least pique your interest. I’m not revealing any secrets by saying that the show is “bookended” with two lively musical, ensemble cast numbers. If you’re an M&M addict, you know of what I speak. As for the meat in this theatrical sandwich, there’s a stunning solo where Maidenform meets clown car. And another number features a prop acquired in and flown back from Lima, Peru. God even makes a cameo appearance. For the rest, you’ll just have to come on out and see the show.
The brainchild of Rosemary Chatterson from the 4th of Kenyon, the Christmas-themed music and comedy revue (once again sponsored by the Caisse Populaire Desjardins) is a fundraiser for the St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank. This year, the DRA will be putting on four performances: Friday, December 1st and 8th at 7:30 PM… Wednesday, December 6th at 7:30 PM… and Sunday, December 10th at 2:00 PM. Tickets can be purchased for $10 each at the Caisse Populaire Desjardins in Alexandria, Home Hardware in Maxville, The Quirky Carrot in Alexandria and The Review in Vankleek Hill. For ticket assistance or more information, you can reach Rosemary at 613-525-1336.
Lions pledge Park support
I learned from Mona Andre, via Ben Williams, that the Maxville Lions Club has earmarked $500 for the Dunvegan Recreation’s “Project Playground” fund. They have also pledged to donate a matching amount in 2018, for a total of $1,000. Mona and her “Lion” husband, Jerome, live at the Dunvegan crossroads. The Maxville Lions Club has always been a strong supporter of local projects like this and Dunvegan area families owe them a debt of gratitude for their generosity. The funds will help the DRA meet its co-funding commitment to the Township.
Irreplaceable history lost
Perhaps, it’s an age thing, but many of us in the Twilight Generation love to get mail (of the non-junk or money-owed persuasion). I am no exception and was delighted when a brown envelope with a blue airmail sticker was on the kitchen table when I returned from Toronto last week. The missive was from Glengarry historian extraordinaire, Royce MacGillivray. Royce, who now lives in Romford, England, is a retired University of Waterloo history professor. He is also author of the invaluable tome: Dictionary of Glengarry Biography.
Nestled in the khaki-coloured pouch was a reprint of a recent article he had had published in Families, the Ontario Genealogical Society journal. Entitled “Family and Other Letters in Eastern Ontario,” the article explores the reality of and reasons behind the ephemeral nature of these written snapshots of the past.
He tells of a great-uncle who visited his family’s farm in the early 1960s, and told Royce and his parents of having found a trove of 19th century letters that a relative had written home from the American frontier. To their horror, the great-uncle admitted to having destroyed all the letters after he read them. According to Royce’s article, his great-uncle’s behaviour was not unusual. It has happened all too often. To account for this common practice, the article offered the following explanation:
“…although the letters in question were normally not considered private, they were by custom read by the whole family, or at least by as many members of the family as wished to do so. They were even occasionally read by the neighbours. Each letter represented, at a very important emotional level, a unique communication, a special bond between the writer and one particular member of the household, and by destroying the letters, the recipient was saving the bond forever from intrusion or diminution.”
While understandable (who amongst us has retained all the e-mails we have received?), the practice has made any remaining letters from days gone by all that more precious. If you have a collection of family or business communications, you really should consider depositing it with the Glengarry Archives (613-209-0202) for safekeeping.
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