DANCES WITH WORDS

If you kept last week’s photos, compare them with this week’s c. 2010 one. The barn is gone! That one-storey log house has grown another storey! How that was done would be a story in itself. The narrow road has become a generous two-lane with a vivid yellow centre line.

If you didn’t keep last week’s column and photos, they are available on-line.

Neighbour Pauline told me sometime between 1970 and my 2001 purchase, a sunroom was installed on the north side (no logic to that) and a garage was attached to the road side of the house. Dumb moves! Eventually, the sunroom was moved to a southern exposure, an attached garage built on the north side of the house.

The location of chimney (and stove) went to the opposite side. Two more utility sheds were built in the back yard.

And now, I’ll tell you about some of the changes I made since purchasing TLC in 2001.

From 1976-2001 and 2001-2019, both of my homes have been heated primarily with firewood. That wasn’t ‘recreational’ heating. I attached a woodshed to the far side of the house. For direct access to it, I added a connecting doorway.

A series of Hydro lines and ones for internet service abound in this 2010 aerial photo. Five poplar trees were planted and are thriving in an orderly north-south line. After this photo was taken, I decided to deal with the nuisance of having them in the way when mowing the lawn, then raking their leaves in the fall. (I know why autumn is called ‘fall’.) To replace their contribution to reducing global warming, more than two dozen evergreens have been planted along the perimeter of the property.

And what about other changes I made, especially to the interior? (Yes, this is beginning to be much like a Chris Emard DIY column.)

It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of Suzanne Marie Lalonde who passed peacefully at the Cornwall Hospice March 13, 2023 at the age of 67. Loving mother to Ryan Lalonde (Elise) and grandmother to Jonah, Jace and Grayson. She will be dearly missed by her close friend Derek Labonte. Dear sister of Robert Lalonde (Anita), Ronald Lalonde (Rita), Roger Lalonde (Suzanne), Rita Lalonde (late Harry), Reina Lyons, Jean-Paul Lalonde (Carole) and Diane Follon (Derek). Predeceased by her parents Aurele Lalonde and Reine Ida (née Marier), her brother Richard Lalonde (Marlene) and Louis Lalonde. She will also be missed by many nieces and nephews, relatives and friends.

The kitchen’s small single sink was replaced by a large double. The entire counter-top was replaced and extended. “The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach”, especially since he had regained his bachelor status. I’m not a chef, but I am a cook.

The only person living with me during my occupancy of TLC was Keesha. For her, I broke through a wall (accidentally severing some concealed wiring) to install a ‘doggy door’. That led to a fenced-off grassy area that was at her disposal at any time of night.

The floor sagged about eight inches along its centre line. I sent some construction workers into the crawl space to install concrete-based support posts along the main beam. Rather than stress the entire floor by jacking it up, I had the floor of the room adjacent to the kitchen levelled and covered in ceramic tile. The room’s only window was more than doubled in size. Result: bright during the day time, and made cozy by its wood stove after dark.

The stairway to the bedroom was flanked on

THE BARN’S GONE! – My 2010 aerial view shows no barn. A former resident told me that her brother had accidentally set it on fire, but did not confess it until years later, after both of their parents had safely passed away. (Photo by Nick the wall side by a very inadequate 2x4 on-end railing and a half-storey drop into the kitchen on the other side. Rescued from a nearby derelict farmhouse were two fine railings and a magnificent newel post.

TLC is now in someone else’s hands. I’m hoping that it continues to evolve and thrive.

Doug Robertson

613-938-1039

Friends and Family may pay their respects at M. John Sullivan, 341 Pitt Street, Cornwall, (across from City Hall), Friday, March 24th from 2pm to 4pm and 7pm to 9pm and Saturday, March 25th from 9am until time of Service in the Funeral Home at 11am. Memorial Donations to the Cornwall Hospice would be appreciated by the family. Messages of condolences may be left at www.mjohnsullivanfuneralhome.com.

Obituary

At The Hospice Cornwall on Friday, March 17, 2023. Marcella Dorie (nee King) of Cornwall, formerly of Green Valley; age 77 years.

Beloved wife of Lionel Dorie. Loving mother of Suzanne Wert (Ken Seger), Denise Willis (Rob), and Gilbert Dorie (Melanie). Cherished grandmother of Sarah Wert (Steven Eddy), Meaghen Wert, Kelsey Ray (Connor), Mikaela Willis, Sophia Dorie, Joshua Dorie, and Andrea Dorie, and great-grandmother of Charlotte Ray and John Wert. Dear sister of Rosario King (late Isabelle), and Anita Charlebois (Robert).

Predeceased by her brothers and sisters Carson King (late Kathleen), Alexander King (late Simonne), Elizabeth Renaud (late George Renaud, late Henry Lapointe), Dorothy Major (late Leo Major, late Doug Fletcher), Rene King (late Lucienne), Lionel King (late Jackie), and Agnes Boelens. Dear daughter of the late Carson Sr. and Hermine King (nee Bergeron). Visitation will be held at the Wilson Funeral Home 822 Pitt St., Cornwall (613-938-3888) on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm and on Wednesday from 9:30 am -10:30 am. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Cornwall on Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at 11 am. Spring Interment St. Raphael’s Parish Cemetery. As expressions of sympathy Memorial Donations to the Cornwall Hospice or to the Parkinson’s Society would be appreciated by the family. Condolences may be made online at www.wilsonfuneralhome.ca

The family of the late Doug Robertson wish to thank relatives and friends who expressed their sympathy through floral tributes, donations, cards, food, messages, telephone calls and visits. Thank-you to Doctor Hoang and staff at the Cornwall Community Hospital, along with Lahaie and Sullivan Cornwall West Branch Funeral Home. Your kindness will always be remembered during such a difficult time.

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Peacefully at the Cornwall Community Hospital, with family by his side, on Thursday March 16, 2023, at the age of 79. Devoted partner of Claudette MacMillan and former spouse of the late Claire (née Struthers). Dear stepfather to his chosen children; Sebastien (Margaret Malyon) of Cornwall and Sarah MacMillan, along with his two grandchildren Emily and Penelope Overington all of Australia. He will be sadly missed by his sisters Pauline (late Rheal) Groulx and Laurie (Rolland) Thomas. Conny will be fondly remembered by his many nieces, nephews, In-laws, numerous cousins and his adored friends. Predeceased by his parents Noel and Albertine (née Lafleur) Aube, his daughter Natalie Aube and by his siblings; Carm (late Yvonne) Aube and Jackie (late Dalton) Quig. Conny was the proud owner of Aube Frères for over 46 years, a part of Cornwall’s rich Pitt Street culture. He also had a passion for music. A very talented drummer, his love for music allowed him to be an active member of the Moe Lemieux Trio. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Arrangements entrusted to the care and direction of Lahaie & Sullivan Cornwall Funeral Homes East Branch, 614 First Street East (613-933-2841). As expressions of sympathy, donations to the Alzheimer’s Society, would be appreciated by the family. Messages of condolence may be left at www.lahaiesullivan.ca