Please excuse my absence last week. I had a wee health hiccup early Monday morning and was transported to our local ER. There, the experts decided a peek under the hood at the bypass surgery done a few years ago was in order. So I was sent to the Ottawa Heart Institute’s refrigerated angiogram table. Thankfully, the grafts are fine, but I’m still in the dark as to what sent me into a tailspin.
All this kerfuffle kept me from my keyboard. It also opened my eyes to the fact Ontario’shealth system resembles an old sickle bar mower rusting in a field of weeds more than a well-oiled machine. You’d think they would have standardized things. Nope. Over the course of three days, I had four different sets of ECG patches applied and then ripped off. Two ambulances, the Alexandria ER and the Heart Institute all used a different standard. It’s like giving each soldier in a platoon a different calibre rifle. What’s worse is the lack of a province-wide system for electronic patient records. Hospitals were allowed to choose their own; as a result, most systems can’t talk to each other. Just think of the time new staff waste learning the unfamiliar software. And for this, we award bonuses to Ministry of Health executives?
Precious gift of time
While I couldn’t attend personally, I’m told that Rosemary Chatterson and her merry band of minstrels had the audience rolling in the aisles at the premiere performance of Music & Mayhem 2022 last Friday night. Having been privileged to witness a few of the rehearsalsfirst hand, I was not in the least surprised.
It’s heart warming to see this longstanding Dunvegan Recreation tradition of helping those in need continue. Started many years ago by Bruce MacGillivray, the original December fundraiser was based on the CBC’s cross-country concerts featuring the reading of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. For most of those years, the proceeds of the Yuletideconcerts went to the food banks in Alexandria and Vankleek Hill. However, for this first post-COVID production, the funds being raised are earmarked for the Beyond 21 Foundation. This public-spirited group helps adults with developmental disabilities learn the skills they need to live life to the fullest.
Of course, a fundraiser like this is dependent on people like you who purchase tickets to the shows… and sponsors like Alexandria’s Caisse Populaire Desjardins. However, what really makes the whole thing possible is the unflinching support of the Dunvegan Recreation Association and its jewel of a venue, as well the incredible generosity of the cast and crew who give so freely of their time. To hazard a guess, I’d say this incredible collection of volunteers have put in a total of close to 1,000 hours. And all but two of the troupe is well into the grandparent zone, age-wise. Yet they’ve been rehearsing weekly since July in order to get up on stage and perform their hearts out for two solid hours. That’s dedication.
This year, the group is doing five shows. Some are already sold out. But I believe there arestill tickets available. If you haven’t purchased one, please consider doing so. It takes the same amount of work to stage a performance with only 70 bottoms on the seats as it does for a full house. To purchase a ticket, go to www.beyond21.org and click on the ‘Events’ tab. Alternatively, for more information, call Rosemary at 613-525-1336.
Belated bagpipe alert
My recent truancy also resulted in my missing out on alerting readers that last Sunday’s service in the Kenyon Presbyterian kirk would include special Scottish music to mark St. Andrew’s Day, which falls on Wednesday of this week. For those with a working knowledge of Gaelic (or Google Translate on their laptop): Latha Naomh Anndrais sona dhut.
… and Mirthday wishes
Last Wednesday, I also missed wishing Margaret MacLeod all the best on the occasion of her 86th birthday. Her grandson, John Mesman, sent me a brief account, and a number of excellent photos, of the family celebration her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren held at the DRA hall on November 19th to mark the special day. Details I will share with you next week. In the meantime… Happy Belated Birthday, Margaret. May there be many more.
Saturday’s Yule market
This next item is not from the past. It concerns an upcoming event: the indoor/outdoor Christmas Market at the Glengarry Pioneer Museum this Saturday, December 3rd, from 10 am to 3 pm. Admission is free, so bring the whole family. There will be activities, entertainment and lots of seasonal shopping opportunities for all ages.
The Williams Pavilion (vinyl enclosed and heated) will be home to a collection of local vendors, including: Dunvegan Gold Maple Syrup, Glengarry Bee Farm, Stonehouse Vineyard, Rouge River Bakery, Swiss Farmer Bakery, a blacksmith, a jewellery maker, a fresh evergreen wreath and garland maker… to name but a few. Even the museum’s Gift Shop will be serving up a selection of presents aimed at the history buff.
It’s the perfect way to kick off the festive season with live Christmas music, children’s crafts, a series of special Yuletide settings designed especially for ‘selfies’ and a roaring bonfire to gather round with a cup of hot cocoa or apple cider. There will even be prizes to be won in the ‘Share the Wealth’ draw. For up-to-date details about this event, visit the GPM’s website — GlengarryPioneerMuseum.ca — or call 613-527-5230.
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