CORNWALL, Ontario – Mike Arcand can still remember, now with fondness, the occasion more than 40 years ago when he had to sleep at what was then known as Long Sault Yarns.
It was March 1972, and the so-called ‘Storm of the Century’ was dumping reams of snow on North America.
Arcand and a few dozen of his closest friends had to spend the night at the plant because roads were impassable.
It’s one of hundreds of stories likely to be swapped during a reunion for Long Sault Yarns taking place in October.
“It’s a chance to reconnect,” said Arcand. “The plant has been closed for 10 years now, and about 25 people who used to work there have passed away.
“So we want to get together.”
The reunion is taking place Oct. 3 at the Army, Navy, Air Force Hall on Marlborourgh Street in Cornwall at 8 p.m.
Arcand said the plant employed nearly 300 people at its maximum, but when the doors closed in 2005 that number had dropped to less than 200.
The plant underwent a number of name and ownership changes after opening 50 years ago…way back in 1965.
It was known as Dominion Textiles until 1998, when things changed to Cavalier. Then from 2001 to the closing in 2005 Gildan Activewear was the chief employer.
Arcand worked at the plant right up until its closing, nearly a 40-year stretch.
“We wanted to do a reunion a couple of years ago, but we couldn’t,” he said. “But now people are saying let’s do it.”
Tickets ($5) for the reunion can be picked up at The Grind on Second Street in Cornwall, or by contacting organizers at 613-534-2264, 613-930-0789, 613-347-3382, 613-363-4521 or 613-534-2978.
