To be perfectly honest, I was expecting a modest crowd at the repeat performance of Music & Mayhem last Friday evening. We had a full house at the December 4th show, and I assumed the performance on the 11th would be mainly for family and friends.
Boy, was I wrong.
By 6:50, seats (even those on the side benches) were getting rare. By 7:05, it was standing room only. And by 7:10, Jim Tilker had the unenviable task of turning people away at the door.
Obviously, the word had spread during the intervening week that the little community hall in Dunvegan was the place to be. Even a bevy of North Glengarry councilors turned up, including Carma Williams, Brian Caddell and Mayor Chris McDonell, who had to stand for the entire performance.
And what a performance it was. The cast and crew were over their first-night jitters and the inspired collection of Christmas-themed skits, songs and slapstick went off without a hitch. An extremely impressive feat given that the entire cast and crew was comprised of local volunteers… from all across North Glengarry and even beyond.
I think it’s important to acknowledge the contribution of these community-minded individuals in Black & White, so here we go. The fleet-footed stage crew consisted of Alyson Graham (4th of Kenyon) and Barb Glen (Maxville) handling stage management and props; John Macaulay (North Lancaster) on sound and lighting; and Nancy and Gord White (9th of Kenyon) in charge of decking out the Hall in Christmas splendor. Mention should also be made of Dunvegan’s Ben Williams and Robert Campbell. They set up the chairs before each performance.
The cast, in no particular order featured: Audrey Nixon (Alexandria), Jim McRae (Happy Hollow), Gerry Schmidt (7th of Kenyon), Barbara and Gary Newman (Maxville), Shashtin and Jim Winchester (4th of Kenyon) and Rosemary Chatterson and Allan MacDonald (4th of Kenyon). Rosemary was also the inspiration behind the production and its director.
The narrator, who for some reason insisted on using a British two-ring convention when providing telephone sound effects, was Flip Flockton (1st of Kenyon). Scott Graham (Maxville) was an excellent Master of Ceremonies. And the very talented Elizabeth Caddell (Glen Robertson Road) was the troupe’s keyboard accompanist at both live performances and countless rehearsals throughout the summer and fall.
All of the above received a well-earned standing ovation at the conclusion of Friday’s performance. They also deserve the community’s thanks for giving of their time and talent to raise over $1,875 for St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank in Alexandria.
My only regret is that, as I glanced out over the sea of people while making tea and coffee for the post-production grip and greet, I could count — on the fingers of one hand — the number of people who call the hamlet of Dunvegan home.
Unfortunately, I have no feedback on how Santa’s visit to the Kenyon Presbyterian Church Hall went last Sunday. I must be in their bad books these days. I rarely get notices, or reports, for the column any more. However, I did hear back from the Dunvegan Recreation folks and I’m told Old St. Nick’s visit to the DRA Hall on Saturday went swimmingly.
President Ben Williams told me that it was best attended ‘Santa Visit’ that the DRA has held thus far. He also emphasised that Kim Raymond deserves a huge thank-you for putting together yet another great event. “The DRA is becoming famous for them,” said Ben. “Some, like the Santa one, started out small. But the word has obviously gotten around… and people are really starting to come out of the woodwork.” The Saturday morning party was thoroughly enjoyed by 14 children and their parents, grandparents and other extended family members.
While awaiting Santa’s grand entrance, the kids decorated cookies with icing and candies, coloured Christmas pictures, played “Santa Says” (the DRA’s own special version of Simon Says) and made their own cartons of reindeer food.
For those of you unfamiliar with the properties of this magical concoction, the poem that was taped to the top of the boxes (along with a felt Christmas tree ornament in the shape of a reindeer) says it all: “Sprinkle on the lawn at night, the moon will make it sparkle bright! As Santa’s reindeer fly and roam, this will guide them to your home!” Kim expects that many Dunvegan families will have a lovely time Christmas Eve throwing sparkly reindeer food around outside in anticipation of Santa’s arrival.
When Santa did drop by the Hall, he and his head elf read two short Christmas stories to the children. Then it was time for one-on-one visits and photo sessions with Father Christmas.
“I would like to thank my special elf helpers… Heather and Caleb Raymond, Jayden Willock and Richard Quesnel,” says Kim. “They did a great job.” Kim also wanted to mention how much she appreciated Vivian Franklin’s and Mona Andre’s help. The duo took care of capturing Santa’s Kodak® moments with the kids for posterity.
Ho-ho-hold the cards
On Friday, December 18th, the Dunvegan Recreation Association will be holding its Yuletide Euchre Luncheon. If past Christmas get-togethers are any indication, it will be a time of warm fellowship and good cheer. It will also help to get folks in the Christmas spirit, despite the lack of the fluffy white stuff.
So, if you enjoy a friendly game of cards (this is not a killer-takes-all euchre tournament), a hearty bowl of soup, sandwiches and delicious holiday sweets, then the DRA Euchre Luncheon is your cup of tea (or coffee, if you prefer). 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.
Linda Burgess and I look forward to seeing all our regulars… and hopefully a few newcomers… so we can wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. We hope you’ll be able to come out.
PS: Because of the difficulty of winter travel, this will be our last Euchre Luncheon for a couple of months. We’ll be off January and February and then be resuming our regular schedule in March.
Saucy holiday cake recipe
In conclusion, Terry passed along a recipe that a member of the Martintown Wild and Woolly Rug Hookers group shared with her. TRIGGER WARNING: This recipe is not for the faint of heart.
“Walk the Line” Holiday Fruitcake
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
4 large eggs
1 cup dried fruit
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup brown sugar
lemon juice
nuts
1 gallon whiskey
- Sample the whiskey to check for quality.
- Take a large bowl.
- Check the whiskey again to be sure it is of the highest quality. Pour one level cup and drink. Repeat.
- Turn on the electric mixer and beat 1 cup butter in a large, fluffy bowl
- Add 1 teaspoon sugar and beat again.
- Make sure the whiskey is still OK.
- Cry another tup. Turn off mixer.
- Break 2 legs and add to the bowl.
- Chuck in the cup of dried fruit and mix on the turner.
- If fried druit gets stuck in the beaterers, pry it loose with a drewscriver.
- Sample the whiskey to check for tonsisticitv.
- Next, sift 2 cups of salt. Or something. Who cares?
- Check the whiskey.
- Now sift the lemon juice and strain your nuts.
- Add one table. Spoon. Of sugar or something. Whatever you can find.
- Grease the oven and turn the cake tin to 350 degrees. Don’t forget to beat off the turner.
- Throw bowl out of the window. Check the whiskey again… and go to bed. Who the heck likes fruitcake anyway?
And that is how family holiday traditions are born.
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