Dennis the fiddle maker

It’s been over a dozen years since Dennis Alexander’s story was told in this column.  Born in the Pontiac, today Dennis resides in Aylmer where he continues making violins, a skill that he inherited from his father. Around the time of my stories, he was featured on CTV’s Regional Contact where he was interviewed by Joel Haslem. That program brought vivid details of Dennis’s craftsmanship to a TV audience. In 2008, he had just completed his fiftieth violin.

Dennis Alexander is also a very accomplished fiddler. Celtic and old-time fiddle tunes are among his repertoire. In addition, he has competed for many years at the Pembroke Old Time Fiddling and Step Dancing Contest. Contestants are provided with display tables and are permitted to sell their recordings, show off their trophies and promote their merchandise. On such an occasion, a picture was posted on his Facebook page showing him with a trophy, his violin and other items on the table in front of him. It just so happened that a poster advertising job opportunities with Employment Ontario was displayed on the arena’s wall directly behind him.

In 1968, while visiting Glenaladale with his wife Diane MacKinnon, Dennis sat down in the parlor of the large home to play the fiddle, accompanied on the organ by Diane’s uncle, Phil Barlowe.

On the occasion of his recent visit, he was invited by the Festival’s organizing committee to duplicate the event of some 54 years ago and to participate in one of the Festival’s events “the MacKinnon Parlour Party”. Accompanying him at this session is the renowned organist from the Charlottetown area, Leo Marchildon.

At the celebration, Diane and her sister Elaine presented the memorial MacKinnon Coat of Arms plaque to one of the Trust’s founding members, Aggi-Rose Reddin. Also in the photo, local MP for the area, Lawrence McCauley.