For me, the strongest memories of the Great Ice Storm of 1998 are the sounds with which I associate it. The relentless tip-tap of the freezing raindrops… the crackling cries of pain from the trees in our back bush as they lost limb upon limb… the faint putt-putt of distant generators… and, as the sun emerged, the glassy crash of ice finally loosening its grip on the landscape.
Hydro poles snapped like toothpicks and massive power outages ensued. And some Glengarrians like Terry and I were without power for close to a month. Now, on the positive side, it was a time when many Dunveganites came together to help one another as the DRA Hall and the church’s Manse were pressed into service as respite centres. The spirit of generosity was truly impressive… with a few noticeable exceptions.
Looking back, I remember it as a time where folks fell into one of two camps: the givers and the takers. For example, a young man to whom we gave some wood to heat his hearth snuck back a few hours later with a friend’s trailer to load lots more. He had hoped to sell his load in Alexandria.
To mark the 20th anniversary of the ice storm of 1998, the Glengarry Pioneer Museum is throwing a “WE SURVIVED” party on February 9th at the Bonnie Glen Pavilion. The evening includes a hearty Italian buffet, swapping tales of the pioneer spirit that emerged across the region and a silent auction with things you may need if and when the ice returns. So, I urge you to consider buying tickets for the Ice Storm survivors on your Christmas gift list. This fun evening promises to be great cure for the February blahs. Tickets are $40 per person and can be purchased at The Quirky Carrot in Alexandria, The Review in Vankleek Hill or online at glengarrypioneermuseum.ca. For more information, you can also check out the museum’s Facebook page or call 613-527-5230. The museum’s closed for the season, but one of the loyal volunteers is regularly checking messages.
Out with a bang!
Terry and I were away on Sunday so, regrettably, I missed the final performance of this year’s Music & Mayhem Christmas Revue. However, I have it on good authority that it went out with a bang. When the M&M volunteers arrived at 12:30 to start setting up, there were already people lined up on the walkway outside waiting to rush in and get the choice seats.
Rosemary Chatterson, the revue’s creative director, told me, “the place was packed and the audience was ready to have a good time… as were the cast and crew, who were really on their game.” I also queried Dunvegan resident Bob Linney as to how he enjoyed the production. One of his favourite bits was the 12 Days of Christmas finale. “It was a hoot to watch the cast and stage crew zip through the various props to keep up with the lyrics of the song,” Bob said, “especially those maids-a-milkin’.”
Which brings me to one final task before I lower the curtain on M&M 2017… to thank the dedicated volunteers who made the whole thing possible, many of whom have been learning lyrics and practicing skits since the middle of the summer.
At the core of the event’s success are, of course, the performers: Rosemary Chatterson and Allan MacDonald, Shashtin and Jim Winchester, Audrey (Patsy Cline) Nixon, Jim McRae, Gerry Schmidt, Flip Flockton, master of ceremonies Scott Graham and accompanist Elizabeth Caddell.
However, this is only the tip of a very talented iceberg. Behind the scenes, former Dunveganites Alyson Graham and Wendy Macleod were in charge of stage and prop management… John Macaulay handled the audio and lighting chores… Nancy and Gord White decked the DRA hall with boughs of Christmas… Terry Sweitzer, Louise Quenneville, Mona André and Bob Linney staffed the entrance table… and the Caisse Populaire Desjardins sponsored the event. Thank you and a Merry Christmas to one and all.
Mrs. Claus’s Dunvegan connection
I was curious how Santa’s visit to the Dunvegan Recreation Hall last Saturday had gone, so I asked DRA director Laurie Maus. She reports that they were very pleased with the turnout; about fifteen young children attended, accompanied by their parents and grandparents. The hall rang with the laughter of Yuletide joy as head elf Ben Williams and his assistants, Mona André and Erica Burgess, entertained the youngsters. Furthermore, posterity-preserver Bob Garner was there to snap those special moments with Santa. DRA president, Ben Williams, also wanted me to acknowledge the kind contributions of Kim Raymond for the rocking chairs, Vivian Franklin for their delivery and Mike Hall for donning the famous red suit.
I’m told that the young folks who attended came from far and wide. Even Jennifer Black from the Dunvegan museum brought her two young children from Vankleek Hill. “The DRA elves did a great job entertaining our boys,” Jen told me. “When the big man came, they were a little reluctant to sit on his lap, but eventually got close enough for a photo.” In Jennifer’s opinion, visiting Santa at the DRA hall was way better than going to a busy mall on a weekend and standing in a long line. “Thanks to all the volunteers and Mrs. Claus for hosting this,” remarked Jennifer. And I concur.
Speaking of Mrs. Claus, I’ve learned that she actually has a strong connection with Dunvegan. Who knew? Apparently, Santa’s better half (whose name is Crystal) was visiting her twin sister, Dunveganite Laurie Maus. I’ll let Laurie take up the story…
“Many years ago, my twin (Mary Crystal Maus, or Mary Crys Maus as dad jokingly called her) married Kris Kringle and moved way up north to his Artic workshop. There, Crys cares for the reindeer and gives them their first flying lessons. As Christmas approaches, my sister often accompanies my brother-in-law on his fact-finding tours. Some children find my brother-in-law somewhat intimidating, with his big white beard and all the ho-ho-hoing. So my sister helps with the little girls and boys who are a bit too shy to tell Santa their Christmas wishes. It’s also a tax-deductible way for her to visit me down here.”
And the DRA is glad she did. By all accounts, Mrs. Claus had a calming influence on the excited young people.
Euchre… with all the trimmings
On Friday, December 15th, the Dunvegan Recreation Association will be holding its Christmas-themed Euchre Luncheon, and Linda Burgess and I sincerely hope to see as many of our regulars as possible… and hopefully a few newcomers, if it’s not too much to ask.
Please join us for a hearty bowl of soup, sandwiches and delicious holiday sweets… followed by a friendly game of cards (this is not a killer-takes-all euchre tournament). The luncheon is served at 12 PM followed by cards and door prize draws until around 3:30. Admission is only $5.00 and even includes a post-game snack.
As in the past few years, this will be our last Euchre Luncheon for a couple of months. Because of the difficulty of winter travel, we’ll be off January and February and then resume our regular schedule in March.
Mea Culpa
My apologies to Kelly Dickson-Zollinger. In last week’s column, I mistakenly identified her as the manger of the Maxville Home Hardware. Instead, she is actively involved in the Maxville Chamber of Commerce and, in that role, was instrumental in helping Santa’s elf, Mona André, with gathering treats for the DRA’s Christmas gift bags. Sorry, Kelly.
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