As you may recall, two young men from Dunvegan, Zoran Penner and Caleb Jalbert, had a sweet corn stand on County Road 24 last year. Located at the entrance to the farm formerly owned by the Colquhouns, the pop-up corn boutique was only open for a few days, but the cobs were seriously good eating. To my delight, they were the all-yellow variety, which are almost impossible to find given the ‘peaches & cream’ conspiracy. When I spoke with Caleb last year, he was confident he and his partner would be back this year, bigger and better than ever.
I’ve been dying of late for a taste of fresh corn-on-the-cob (after a few unfortunate encounters with overpriced husks from our Independently Wealthy). So I thought the matter warranted a quick call. I couldn’t find Caleb Jalbert’s number, but was able to reach Zoran Penner’s mom. She reassured me that, while the seed went in the ground a bit later than expected because of our wet spring, things were progressing nicely. “The boys have a big patch,” reported Mrs. Penner, “and it’s looking good.”
I’m told that the first cobs of the season will be ready in fourteen days or so. However, I’ve asked to be alerted when the harvest is about to begin. This will allow me to inform you in the next available column when Dunvegan’s very own sweet corn stand will be open for business.
“Turkcock” in the cards?
Steve Kaluta, who lives a few farms east of us, emailed me to say that about three weeks ago he spotted Junior the peacock at the south end of his garden… and a wild turkey at the north end. Steve admits he’s not an expert in the facial expression of our feathered friends, but he’s pretty sure he saw amorous glances going back and forth. “So, if someone sees a strange hybrid next spring,” wrote Steve, “well, you heard it all here first.”
Junior was also the subject of a second e-mail this week, this time from Allan Walker of Dunvegan East. While on his morning stroll, Allan heard a peacock’s distinctive “pee-CAAAWK” mating call. ”We’re well past the mating season,” wrote Allan, “but Junior must have been feeling a little randy.” The distinctive cry immediately took Allan back to his days at the university in Victoria and its impressive collection of peafowl that lived a hundred yards or so from the institution’s examination hall. As mating season for the avian show-offs coincided with exam time, the students’ concentration was often shattered by the masculine birds’ cries of eternal devotion.
Did you know?
There was a time in the early 1980s that a bookmobile used to visit Dunvegan once a week (or maybe it was every two weeks). The little library-on-wheels was a great boon to young families and senior citizens and, for many, was one of the highlights of the week. However, it wasn’t too long before the bookmobile service was axed, and the money applied to much more urgent provincial matters… like corporate welfare and MPP fact-finding tours to Europe and tropical climes.
So I was delighted to discover on Saturday’s visit to our local SD&G Library branch in Alexandria that this amazing organization is in the process of reinventing itself with a number of innovative new offerings. In addition to books, e-publications, videos and on-line computer access, you can now take home a musical instrument, bring in documents that require witnessing or borrow a portable Wi-Fi hotspot unit.
Thanks to the generosity of The Co-operators insurance company, you can now use your library card to borrow one of six acoustic guitars and take online music lessons. In addition to an adult size six-string acoustic guitar, the loan includes a chord book, tuner and strap. Ukuleles and electric pianos are also available, as are mobile Internet ‘hotspots.’ I’m not 100% certain, but I believe the latter would allow your group or event to offer free Wi-Fi… always a big plus.
I was also amazed to discover that the SD&G Library provides the services of a Commissioner of Oaths during regular library branch hours. A Commissioner of Oaths is someone who is authorized by law to witness signatures for documents such as affidavits and statutory declarations. A partial list of forms they can handle includes: residency documents; consent letters for traveling with a child; Federal government permanent residency card applications; and the Municipal Information Form required for a liquor license.
Please note though, this does not replace the services of a Notary Public. The Library recommend that wills, living wills, power of attorney, divorce, separation, or custody agreements are taken to a lawyer or notary, as an SD&G Library Commissioner of Oaths is not allowed to sign these documents. A comprehensive list of the forms and documents that a Commissioner of Oaths can sign can be found on the library’s web site, together with all the ‘fine print’ on using the service.
What’s more, the above is only a sample of what today’s SD&G Library has in store for its patrons… from 3D printing and book club kits to meeting rooms and museum passes. It isn’t a bookmobile, but it’s pretty impressive all the same.
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