-by Donna Kimberley
Sunny skies and a pleasant breeze welcomed those attending Glencoe Day this year. This was a pleasant contrast to last year when people stood in wet soil and the horseshoe pits were flooded.
The Glencoe Mills Hall Committee and the Glencoe Community assembled the jam-packed annual fundraising day at the Glencoe Mills Parish Hall. The hall was originally built as an all-grades school in 1908 and remained as a school until 1967. From the 1970s onward, regularly scheduled dances have been held here.
This fundraising event began at 2:00 p.m. The Glencoe Mills Parish Hall sold hats, t-shirts, cookbooks, and tickets for a fudge draw. There was also an inside bingo game and children’s games, including Plinko.
Outside was a barbecue, a washer-toss game, and a horseshoe tournament, in which partners were chosen by drawing names. Several well-seasoned horseshoe players were said to be part of the area’s “senior circuit.” Among them was Alec John MacDonald of Mabou, who, it seemed, could lay down a double mucker without too much effort.
“I taught myself to play when I was young, and it never went away,” Alec John said of horseshoes.
Ultimately, the two teams competing for the horseshoe championship were Alec John MacDonald and Francis “Fancy” Rankin versus Edmund Cummings and Darrell Gillis. Darrell Gillis and the winner and still champion Edmund Cummings took the grand prize.
When the games ended, people filled the St. Joseph Parish Church for a 5:00 p.m. service. The lovely old white church shone against the blue sky. It has a distinctive bell tower and is surrounded by a white picket fence. The parish was first established as a mission of Mabou in 1868, and the church was constructed by its parishioners.
Following the church service, there was a potluck dinner. A core group of volunteers put dinner together, and Ruby Campbell coordinated it in large part. Ruby noted that she was born and raised in Glencoe, married here, and had her two daughters here. She also said her great-grandparents are laid to rest in the graveyard adjacent to the community hall.
Howie MacDonald and Beverly MacLean topped off the evening with a 9:00 p.m. square dance.
All funds generated by Glencoe Day go to the upkeep of the Glencoe Hall and, when necessary, to St. Joseph Parish Church.
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