November 2021 Newsletter

A Lovely Surprise This Spring

As the snow melted, one of our first goals was to remove the last boards from the front of the House (the upper right windows, below). Their panes had been broken during the boarding process, and some frames needed care as well.

We hired Dwyer Glass from Cornwall to do this, and to replace fourteen other panes of various eras/ sizes. Owner Andy McDonell sent his crews with two kinds of glass in large sheets, so they could measure and cut as required outdoors.

Brendan Robertson from Dwyer Glass

In all, they spent two days, a crew of three in April, and two later in May. They even uncovered and then put glass in a hall transom, lighting the room upstairs which leads to the Juliet balcony. All this work during the pandemic — and as they left, they said there would be no bill — Andy’s wishes! We were very, very appreciative!

Summer Student Hired for First Time

Alexandria’s Noel Campbell, a fourth-year music performance student at McGill, had a lovely “office” this summer on the recently-restored veranda. From there he could watch for visitors, read up on early Glengarry history, and occasionally play the cello.

The final portion of the 1826 retaining wall (above) will be restored during a Drystone Canada Course June 11-12, 2022

To register contact Bill Jeffers at jeffers.bill@gmail.com

SD&G Regional Incentives Grant for Facade Improvements

We are also grateful for SD&G’s cost-sharing sum of $10,000 for enhancements to the north facade overlooking the back lane to Iona Academy, and the west facade which faces onto Frog Hollow Road. These improvements included two hand-crafted wooden doors, new roofing, and a custom window.

Two doorways were changed back to windows

During the recently-completed Parks Canada masonry project that consolidated all the north-facing walls and the west corner — $240,000 in total — two doorways were changed back to windows

It is lovely to have views to the north again

The previous cedar shakes on the mansard (above) were missing in many areas. Neil McGregor replaced the cedar, and had thick tongue-and-groove pine slats milled to fill gaps underneath the soffit. Meanwhile, Mackie Robertson made two wooden doors, one for each facade. For the west entrance (below) steel was chosen to match the veranda roof, in place of failing black asphalt shingles.

Working on a replica window (above) for one of the former doors are Don Sabourin and Adrien Piette from Sabourin Woodworks Inc on the Glen Road, just a few miles from St.Raphaels.

Work Done Well!

Neil McGregor staining the front door trim, while Mackie Robertson installs his back door (below).

Mackie Robertson installing the back door

Glengarry Fencibles Board
Brenda Baxter (President), Allan Macdonell (Vice President), Dane Lanken (Treasurer), Gabrielle Campbell (Secretary) and Ranald MacDonald, Tish Humphries and Alistair MacDonald, Directors

It is very important to us as a Board that you note the calibre of local people we have working at the House, and the quality of their craftsmanship. We try to make your dollars go as far as we can, something made more achievable because most materials can be sourced locally. Please give generously.

Upcoming projects range in scope from the restoration of the 1808 staircase and two adjacent stone fireplaces, to the installation of environmentally-friendly septic infrastructure and accessible washrooms.

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