Beat the Bard, that is. In last week’s column, I expressed the hope that Thursday’s “Classical Music Under the Stars” event at the Glengarry Pioneer Museum would attract a larger audience than the recent performance of Hamlet. Well, it would appear that Mother Nature prefers Shakespeare to classical music. This is the second year in a row the outdoor evening concert has been impacted by inclement weather. During last August’s recital, the heavens opened up precisely at intermission. This year, Dame Nature saw that we obviously hadn’t got the memo, so she sent storm clouds to darken the noon sky and dampen the plans of prospective audience members.
Despite the deluge and cool temperature’s, nearly fifty classical music lovers showed up to enjoy the impressive talents of Julia Mirzoev (violin), Marie Vivies (viola) and Matthew Goulet (cello). The evening’s program of light classical compositions consisted of: Schubert’s String Trio, D 471; Beethoven’s String Trio no. 1, Allegro and Andante; Haydn’s London Trios no. 1 and no. 2; Dohnányi’s Serenade for String Trio, op. 10 (movements 1-3); and Mozart’s Eine Kleine Nachtmusik.
While sixty visitors was the magic number to break even, Thursday’s audience was incredibly generous when we passed the hat at the end of the evening. The museum came up short, but it could have been a whole lot worse. The soggy event was also a great test of the museum’s new curtain-like sidewalls. Generously donated by two long-time museum supporters (both of whom were in the audience), the heavy plastic screens protected concert-goers from the worst of the untimely weather.
I’d like to thank the musicians, the museum staff, Stonehouse Vineyards and Glengarry’s hardy classical music lovers for a memorable evening… even if it was without stars.
If we all give a little
The museum’s annual Volunteer Appreciation BBQ was held this past Sunday and, halleluiah, it was exactly that again. Sausages and burgers on the grill, with wonderful salads (so I’m told) and yummie desserts. While there, I ran into Barb Newman and we got to talking about the Harvest Sale tent at the museum‘s Fall Festival on Sunday, September 10th. “The Fall Festival is the museum’s biggest annual fundraiser,” Barb told me. “And the harvest tent is one of its biggest money raisers.” And she’s right.
That’s why she asked me to remind you that without your support, the tabletops will be bare. She’s counting on the generosity of local gardeners, bakers and cooks to donate vegetables, fruits, pies and cakes, breads and rolls, jellies, jams, pickles, preserves, flowers and plants.
Early on FallFest Sunday, Barb and her team will price the items and put them on display under the big top. Ever since the festival was added to the calendar of events, the Harvest Tent has been a huge draw for people from as far away as Ottawa, Montreal and Cornwall wanting to take a taste of Glengarry home with them. In the process, it’s become a perennial source of much-needed revenue. If we all give a little, the museum will make a lot.
If you have any questions or would like to donate items from your garden, orchard or kitchen, give Barb Newman a call at 613-361-2703. She’ll even make arrangements to pick up your donations.
A good neighbour lost
A few weeks ago, I suggested that we’d be seeing more For Sale signs popping up in Dunvegan. However, the one that recently appeared in front of Henri Clément’s home west of the crossroads was a surprise to me. Henri purchased the classic brick house, formerly owned by Leslie and Joyce MacKinnon, about ten years ago. He seemed to delight in puttering about the property, and I was taken aback when the property suddenly went up for sale. So I asked Barb Ranger, who lives across the road from Henri’s place, what had happened. It turns out that Henri suffered a stroke and, after his release from hospital, went to live with his daughter in Williamstown.
His sudden departure is a loss for the community. Henri was always on the lookout for ways he could offer a helping hand… from keeping the DRA Hall steps free of snow to providing rides to his fellow seniors without wheels and other spontaneous acts of kindness, like fixing a neighbour’s wind damaged roof. Hopefully, his daughter will read this and pass along our best wishes to her dad for a speedy recovery. His friendly, can-do attitude will be sorely missed. Like money, good neighbours don’t grow on trees.
News from the Kirk
Worship at Kenyon Presbyterian Church this coming Sunday will be at 11:00 am. Mr. Alastair Fraser will be leading the service. On the following Sunday, August 27th, worship will be at 9:30 am. Mr. Guy Laberge will be conducting the service. Rev. Jim Ferrier tells me everyone is welcome to attend and they look forward to your attendance.
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