In the 40 or so years that Terry and I have made Dunvegan our home, there has been a natural ebb and flow of residents, as the parameters of their lives changed through age or other factors. Aside from an influx of newcomers (ourselves included) back in the 1970s and 80s, I can’t remember so much change in such a short period of time as we’ve seen over the past year. Three new houses along Dunvegan Road are in various stages of completion. And “sold” stickers are slapped on “for sale” signs almost the minute they pop up. And that doesn’t include the less visible, high-end County Road 24 properties on the market for over a million dollars. I know of at least two. However, with no realtor signage out front, they fly under the radar.
Way back in June, I wrote about Thom Pritchard and Lisa Chapman’s log home west of the Dunvegan crossroads being up for sale. No big surprise: the property sold quickly, Thom and Lisa have moved to Glen Garden Village in Maxville and the new owners have already moved in and put up a new mailbox. Before the keys were handed over though, Lisa held a two-day yard sale of stuff that was surplus to their needs in their new townhouse. Unfortunately, because of Thom’s health issues, it looked like Lisa would be alone when it came to organizing the event. That was until Barb Newman stepped in to help. Barb now lives in Vankleek Hill, but when married to Jim Graham, she raised a family of three wonderful children in downtown Dunvegan.
“I knew Karen and Brian [Thom and Lisa’s neighbours] were down East,” Barb told me. “I couldn’t leave Lisa with such a task alone.” And she didn’t. For days before the event, Barb helped Lisa sort through the items, organize the sale tables and work out a traffic flow that respected the new Covid reality. “Barbara Newman saved me. I can never thank her enough,” Lisa wrote me in an email. Then, on Yard Sale weekend, Barb’s sister, Pat, came from Ottawa to help. Friends Linda O’Neil and Helene Tessier also showed up to lend a hand. Which goes to show the power of good neighbours.
Lisa reports that the yard sale was great. She’s delighted she was able to repurpose things that might have ended up in the landfill. St. Vincent de Paul picked up leftovers, and the remaining books went to the sale in Lochiel. I asked Lisa what went through her mind when she closed the door behind her at the close of the sale on Sunday. She replied,”(It was) a wonderful house to live in and we have lots of great memories. Many more memories will be made in Glen Garden Village. It’s time. The tears will be flowing freely by September 15th.” That was the date the new owners, Dean and Christine, took possession. “I know the new owners will be welcomed by our neighbours and friends,” Lisa concluded.
Secret of time travel
There’s no way you could call summer 2021 at the Glengarry Pioneer Museum “normal” by any stretch of the imagination. Nevertheless, compared to the 2020 season, this year was a vast improvement. About the only similarity between the two is that, as in 2020, this season must come to a close. The swan song event takes place this coming weekend on September 25th and 26th. Living history re-enactors will return to Dunvegan and recreate life as it was in Upper and Lower Canada in the early 19th century.
I’ve maintained for years that the 1812 Living History Weekend is one of the museum’s neatest family events. One not to be missed. The museum grounds are chock-a-block with volunteer re-enactors portraying civilian, business and military life in this region during early 1800s. Of course, thanks to Covid, there will be fewer re-enactors this year. And smaller skirmishes will take the place of full-scale battles. Nevertheless… from the blacksmith tending his forge and the tinsmith peddling his wares to life under canvas in a military encampment and meals being cooked over open fires… it’s a wonderful way to step back in time. More importantly, it’s good clean fun for the entire family.
And if you’re a real history buff (or one of those wanting to join them), there will be three expert presentations: “The British Redcoat 101… Getting it right when making and wearing the uniform”; “Spinning and Spinning Wheels”; and “Early Land Surveying.”
The Glengarry Pioneer Museum will open its doors for the 1812 Living History Weekend from 10 am to 4 pm on Saturday and Sunday. The event is a ‘rain or shine’ one, and admission is just $5 per person or $15 for a family. (Try getting a family of four into a movie for that.) Come for the history, stay for the food. With victuals and refreshments on sale between 10 am and 1 pm, you and your entire family can make a day of it. More details can be found at GlengarryPioneerMuseum.ca or through Facebook @Glengarry Pioneer Museum.
A canine’s repast
The expression dog’s breakfast is British slang. For those unfamiliar with the term, it has been used since the late 19th century to describe a confusing mess. For example: The contract is a dog’s breakfast of legal errors and technical inaccuracies. If Webster’s was looking for another example, I’d suggest they use the Glengarry Pioneer Museum’s Glengarry Routes Heritage Driving Tour as a living example.
As many of you may recall the 2017 “Glengarry Routes” Heritage Tour Map” was a joint venture by South and North Glengarry to develop a list of heritage sites that could form the basis of a historic tour. I assume the aim was to stimulate tourism. Recently though, the “Glengarry Routes” Heritage Tour Map” has been reincarnated and has reappeared as a mash-up with the Glengarry Pioneer Museum’s downloadable Historical Driving Tour.
New advertising materials (that I believe were developed by one or both of the Townships) urge the public to “Take the Tour, Hear Our Story, Discover Our Roots.” The branding clearly uses the original 2017 map cover and a Township logo. It also makes reference to the Glengarry Pioneer Museum’s web site (but no museum logo), presumably to encourage the purchase and download of the “audio portion” of this new amalgamated tour. On the museum’s web site, though, no mention is made of this marriage of the two tours. It is still simply the “Glengarry Historical Driving Tour.”
No doubt a case can be made for the synergies arising from combining these two heritage tours. However, I think the promotion of the resultant product could have been handled much more smoothly. As it stands, it is a proverbial morning meal fit for our canine friends.
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