My apologies for slipping out the back door unannounced, but our insurance company frowns upon announcing to the world that we are away from home. For the first time in many years, Terry and I threw caution to the wind and flew to Europe while our eyes and limbs were still in semi-working order. A year or so ago, we signed up for a river cruise from “Budapescht” to Amsterdam. And last month the countdown clock reached zero. If you’re wondering where on earth Budapescht is, it’s the capital of Hungary. This is the way we sophisticated world travellers pronounce Budapest. It signals to fellow elites that we are in the know and not members of the hoi polloi. My only concern is that I will have to start saying Moe-réal and Ta-raw-na now I’m back home. But no doubt I’ll adapt.
Our riverboat’s accommodations, food and service were excellent. And we made a number of delightful new acquaintances. I also thoroughly enjoyed the experience of watching narrow slices of Hungary, Austria, Germany and the Netherlands unfold as we cruised north from lock to lock along the Danube to the Rhine. My only regret is that we did not take this journey ten or fifteen years ago… before the mushrooming swarm of cruise ships turned the medieval towns and villages along the way into a seemingly endless string of, albeit very picturesque, tourist traps.
It was a sobering experience to visit foreign lands where our Canadian concept of “old” and “antique” is truly laughable… to witness societies that had built actual castles on the top of mountains, centuries before Europeans even set foot in North America. On the other hand, it was reassuring to find how alike we all are the world round. The Dutch and the Austrians dislike the Germans. Each of the sixteen German states, from Bavaria to Saxony to Rhineland-Palatinate, considers itself far superior to the others. And everyone hates France. Except for Wallonia, of course, the French-speaking region of Belgium that drools to become a part of the Gallic state. I was also struck at how blessed Canada is with our abundance of space and natural resources… where land can be measured in acres and 2x4s are sold in 16’ lengths and not by the meter.
Euchre’s Unbirthday
To avoid getting in trouble like I did last month, please consider yourself reminded that this coming Friday, September 20th, is the date of this month’s DRA Euchre Luncheon. BTW, Friday is also the occasion of birthday celebrations for three Dunvegan-associated individuals: Terry Sweitzer, Bill Gilsdorf and Julia Addison. Euchre (not the birthday celebrations) will be held 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 a really delicious lunch. Everyone is welcome.
A ‘jack’ on every mailbox?
Four years ago, I ran an idea up the flagpole that was obviously ahead of its time: that the residents of Dunvegan Road fly a Union Jack flag to mark the museum’s 1812 re-enactment event… even a tiny one attached to their rural mailbox. Back then, Terry and I were the only ones to do so. However, the Glengarry Pioneer Museum is hoping that more of us will buy into the concept this year and festoon County Road with Union Jacks for the arrival of the first ever Glengarry Routes Heritage Bus Tour on Saturday, September 21st. If all goes according to plan, free shuttle buses will pick up visitors at three locations in Alexandria, including Island Park, Mill Square and The Grotto and ferry them to the festivities in Dunvegan, with fun activities, live music and art installations at various stops along the way. I still think displaying the grandfather of Canada’s flag is a great idea, although I’m of the opinion the museum would have a much greater success rate if they supplied folks with small, inexpensive pennants they could affix to their mailbox. But they didn’t. So if you want to participate, you’ll have to source your own Union Jack. They can be found on Amazon.ca or the Flag Shop on Bank Street in Ottawa. Hand-drawn facsimiles are also acceptable.
Whether you fly the Jack or not, I still recommend you join living history enthusiasts from all over Ontario, Quebec and the United States on September 21st and 22nd, when they recreate life as it was in Upper and Lower Canada in the early 1800s. Encampments throughout the grounds will offer behind-the-scenes glimpses of military, indigenous and civilian life two centuries ago. Vendors will also have historical reproductions, clothing, leather goods, cast-iron cookware, maple syrup, fresh vegetables and fruit for sale. And Dunvegan’s Star Inn Tavern will be open to quench your thirst with offerings from the Cassel Brewery and the Sarah Cole Cider House. Other food and refreshments will be available onsite.
You’re also invited to witness the “nuptials” of real-life newlyweds Joshua and Val of the 100thRegiment of Foot as they re-enact the 1812 wedding of their ancestors William Vaughan and Jane Copeland. The ceremony will take place Saturday at 1:00 PM, to be followed by an English Country Dance in the Williams Pavilion. And don’t miss the spectacular battle recreation at 3:00 PM on Saturday or 2:00 PM on Sunday. Admission is $10 per person or $25 for a family of four. Kids under 12 are free. The event happens rain or shine and there are more details on the museum’s web site and Facebook page.
Big music, small places
If you’ve never attended a Small Halls concert in Dunvegan, you should give it some very serious thought. Developed as a way of showcasing up and coming performers for audiences in smaller, mostly rural communities, the Ontario Festival of Small Halls lives up to its motto: “Big music in small places.” The concert in Dunvegan will take place on Friday, September 27th and will feature Newfoundland singer-songwriter Matthew Byrne. While tickets may be available at the door, I’d recommend purchasing them in advance on the Small Halls web site: www.OntarioSmallHalls.com.
And if you want to really make a night of it, the Dunvegan Recreation Association will serve a Roast Beef Dinner with all the trimmings, before the concert, for just $20. A vegetarian alternative is also available. To make a dinner reservation, contact Ben Williams at 613-525-4006, or wood_guy_ben@yahoo.ca.
Thank you Ms. Howes
For the very first time since the Harvest Fall Festival made its debut at the Dunvegan museum in 1999, Terry and I were unable to attend. However, by all accounts, it did not suffer as a result of our absence. Lindsey Howes, chair of the Fall Festival Committee, estimates that around 850 visitors, volunteers, horse parade participants, vendors, entertainers and the like attended this year. The event, which is a major fundraiser for the little museum, grossed over $9,000 in revenues and garnered $4,800 in sponsor support. After expenses, this resulted in a profit of nearly $9,400… almost $1,400 over their goal of $8,000 and very close to last year’s figure.
The only sad note in all this sea of good news is that Lindsey is stepping down as Committee Chair. Her shoes will be hard to fill. Nevertheless, the museum has had an unbroken string of successful co-ordinators and I have no reason to doubt that someone will volunteer to take the torch from Lindsey’s hands. In the meantime, thank you Lindsey (and all the incredible folks on your team) for helping put Dunvegan on the map.
Xe, Xem, Xyrs
Typing the headline to the previous item on the fall Festival brought to mind the new high water mark of political correctness I spotted at the end of an email earlier today. There in the sender’s closing salutation — along with the usual name, place of employment, address and phone number — was a declaration of the writer’s Preferred Pronoun, which incidentally was “She/Her.” I was surprised she failed to mention whether or not she was gluten adverse.
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