Granted, nothing’s perfect. But Almonte is damn close to being so! While contemplating the upcoming new year and the reminiscences provoked by such idle occupation, it occurred to me that Almonte is one of the best things to have happened to me in my lifetime. And it happened almost 50 years ago. So I’ve had the liberty to evaluate the matter in some detail. I won’t say that Almonte is the best thing to have happened to me in my lifetime. That distinction is the indubitable preserve of my partner without whom I am lost. And that alliance happened almost 30 years ago. But if one were to choose a matter of broad significance and of general application, Almonte would be right up there with whatever else constitutes one of the best things to have happened to me in my lifetime. Almonte far surpasses memorability or merit as a mere place of residence and employment and retirement. It has signalled so much more than that.
There are pragmatic facets of Almonte which make the place ideal for a variety of reasons. Not the least of these is its superb hospital. There are a number of other spin-offs of practical application which distinguish Almonte, features which one would be remiss to ignore. When I retired we contemplated – for a fleeting moment – buying a condo along the St. Lawrence River near Gananoque. We summarily concluded upon closer examination that we could not beat Almonte!
Almonte has wrought within me an evolution of a quality and breadth I never would have imagined. It is a growth and extension of which I am proud. There is no doubt that I might never have had the opportunities I did in Almonte.
To me at least it is unsurprising that the predominant worthiness of the community has been the people whom I have known. After meeting my employers Michael J. Galligan QC and Mr. Justice Alan D. Sheffield when I arrived here in 1976, my first community acquaintance was Mrs. Gladys Currie. Anyone who has met “Glady” knows how engaging she is. Little did I know at the time of meeting her that she is the sister of Shirley Fulton-Deugo’s mother. Glady was also a faithful friend of John H. Kerry (who supported me throughout my law practice). John was in turn a favourite of Raymond A. Jamieson QC whose law office at 74 Mill Street I assumed upon his retirement.
The Galligan family lived across the street from Paul Virgin’s mom and dad. Paul Virgin became a stalwart supporter of mine throughout my law practice; and we joined work as Directors of Mississippi River Power Corporation, an opportunity for which I am exceedingly grateful to both Brian Gallagher, formerly Manager of the Public Utilities Commission of the Town of Almonte, and Desmond Houston, former Clerk-Treasurer of the Town of Almonte.
Early in my career in Almonte I met John and Halcyon Bell. They introduced me and K. Patricia Flesher (then of Dunrobin) over dinner one evening many years ago to Keith and Penny Blades.
Keith Blades is known nationally and internationally as Canada’s leading masonry conservation consultant and has worked extensively on Parliament Hill and other nationally significant sites. He has also taught at major preservation centres both in Canada and abroad. He combines an intimate understanding of both theory and practice in the field. Keith has an MA Conservation Studies from the University of York, England.
The artistic community in Almonte has always been of interest to me. Early in my retail experience I learned that bespoke items were my preference; and, that there is nothing to diminish local talent, including paintings, sculpture, masonry, engraving, architecture, furniture, pottery, porcelain, glass and metal work. Included among these talents is Jill C. Halliday, Dale Dunning, Dennis LeClaire, Anthony St. Dennis, Peter Mansfield, Ian D. le Cheminant, Ian Bertram Paige, Norma Blaine, Stephen Brathwaite, Scott Downey and John Branje.
Naturally I could go on at length about others in Almonte who have been material to my life here. Already however I have lost what was intended to be the thread of this monologue; namely, that the magic of Almonte will forever be just that. I cannot possibly succeed at any worthy project of accolade for Almonte by itemizing either people or events. It would amount to an attempt to still and grasp the flowing air on a brilliantly sunny day; that is, impossible!
This is not however to suggest a lack of components. Instead it speaks to the complication of the undertaking, the incapacity to afford a clever description of what are indefinable ingredients. In any event – and more to the point – the only and sufficient observation in this particular matter is that, for me, Almonte is one of the best things to have happened in my lifetime! And allow me if you will on this New Year’s Eve 2024 to thank the stars for this blessing and to wish to and your friends and loved ones a Prosperous and Happy New Year!