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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2017-02-09, Page 19THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2017. PAGE 19. Entertainment & Leisure Garratt seeks local stories for `Pigeon King' By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Gil Garratt, artistic director of the Blyth Festival, is on the hunt for stories and people to help make this year's production of The Pigeon King as authentic as it can be. Garratt and his team, which includes his wife Gemma James - Smith and Festival regulars J.D. Nicholsen and Rebecca Auerbach, have been scouring news stories and documentaries for information about Arlan Galbraith, the Pigeon King, but they're still on the lookout for authentic, personal and local stories. There are reasons that locals who found themselves entangled in Galbraith's web are choosing not to come forward, Garratt said, and he understands their feelings. However, he's hoping that he can convince local farmers to share their stories and know that the Festival has a solid reputation of standing by them. Garratt said that those who found themselves involved with Galbraith may be embarrassed to tell their stories, not wanting to admit they'd been duped. It's a natural way to feel about the situation, he said, but he assures Galbraith's victims that if they get in touch with him or with the Festival, those volunteering information won't even have to give their names if they don't want to. "No one wants to admit they've been `had'. It can make you feel like you're not resourceful enough to have figured it out," Garratt said. However, due to various circumstances beyond many farmers' control, Garratt said it's totally understandable why someone would be susceptible to such a proposal at the time. He's also quick to point out that those who were taken in by Galbraith are victims of what he did and should not be ashamed because Enjoying the weather Ten -year-old Ethan, left, nine-year-old Luke, right, and 11 -year-old Marisa McCarey were out enjoying the snow and the sunshine on Saturday, taking to the top of snow-covered hills to get a bird's eye view of their community of Brussels. (Vicky Bremner photo) Riddell named to Hall of Fame Continued from page 13 vegetable crop production in Ontario. As the long serving director of the Horticultural Research Station in Simcoe, Ontario, his research focused on a wide range of vegetable crops including seedless English cucumbers, asparagus, cabbage and broccoli. Loughton was nominated by Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, Ontario Institute of Agrologists, Stokes Seeds Ltd., Dr. Neil Miles and Byron Beeler. Known as a farmer, teacher, auctioneer, Member of Provincial Parliament and Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Jack Riddell focused his many decades of service to the betterment of Ontario agriculture. While Minister of Agriculture, his innovative and long-term vision for agriculture led to the introduction of more than 30 new agriculture programs for farmers and his hands- on approach to the job gave him a deep understanding and appreciation of the agricultural sector. Riddell was nominated by the Land Improvement Contractors of Ontario. Anyone who has been part of the Junior Farmers' Association of Ontario or who has attended Ridgetown College (now the Ridgetown campus of the University of Guelph) owes much of their experience to the leadership of Jack Steckley. Working as a Department of Agriculture employee more than a century ago Steckley taught winter short courses each year for young farmers. Graduates then formed a group to continue the lessons that they had learned - now recognized as the first Junior Farmers club Later, he championed the need for a Western Ontario Agricultural School in Ridgetown. It was the fulfilment of his long-time dream when the first class graduated in 1953. Steckley was nominated by Junior Farmers' Association of Ontario and the Westag Alumni Assocation. The 2017 induction ceremony will take place on Sunday, June 11 at Country Heritage Park in Milton. Details on how to purchase tickets are available on the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame's website at www.oahf.on.ca 30 The Square GODERICH 519 524 7811 FOR MOVIE INFORMATION... www.movielinks.ca rill'. Ira long distance?1-800-265-3438 they didn't do anything wrong. With fanners sometimes needing off -farm jobs to make ends meet, he said, people like Galbraith often materialize when times are the toughest. Garratt said that some farmers know when there has been a bad year to not answer their phone, knowing that it might simply be another shady businessman with a "proposal" that will make them millions. Galbraith's peak earning years were at a time when hog prices were at their lowest levels in years and he knew and relied on the desperation of farmers throughout southwestern Ontario. "He would prey on that very thing," Garratt said. Garratt said the Festival has a long history of presenting farmers' stories and standing alongside them during challenging times. He used the Keith Roulston and Anne Chislett productions of Another Season's Promise, which tackled the sky-high interest rates of the 1980s, followed by Another Season's Harvest, which dealt with the BSE crisis, as examples of the Festival's commitment to telling farmers' stories. Not only did farmers flock to those shows because they were entertaining, Garratt said, but farmers felt like their struggles and challenges were being represented on the Festival stage. He hopes that this season's The Pigeon King can do that exact thing for a new generation of farmers facing a new challenge in Galbraith's scheme. The more personal experiences the group can share as part of the production, the richer the story will be, Garratt said. While there are all kinds of research materials available from prominent Canadian media outlets, and all the way up to the New York Times Magazine, it will be those personal experiences with Galbraith and the effects the scheme had on people and their families that will help the show along more than anything, he said. For those wanting to speak with Garratt about their personal experiences with Galbraith or the Pigeon King scheme, they can call him at the Blyth Festival at 519-523- 9300 or e-mail him at ggarratt @blythfestival.com. Those who contact the Festival can be assured that their names or any details they're not comfortable sharing will not be shared beyond these confidential conversations. Join us for Friday night open dance - 8 pm Blyth East Side Dance 273 Hamilton St., Blyth • 519-523-4590 Visit us on Facebook THE PRIDESMEN EvrI+OYEARiS INCOIINTRYMIJSIC COMESSING ALONG SUNDAY, MAY 14, 2017 2 PM IN THE SQUARE Tickets available in person at the Centre In The Square Box Office Kitchener. Call 519-578-1570 (1-800-265-8977) or online at www.centreinthesquare.com PSST! TREAT YOUR LOVED ONE TO A NIGHT AT THE THEATRE THIS SUMMER WITH OUR VALENTINE'S DAY GIFT PASS: $60 ON SALE ONLY UNTIL FEB. 14. Call 519.523.9300 Toll Free 1.877.862.5984 or visit blythfestival.com Canadian The BLYTH tre FESTIVAL 2015-2017 Season Sponsors /►. Parkland parlings FUEL CORPORATION EPATTWAIFAINPE,PIANPA Blyth Festival gratefully acknowledges the support of G.adaCoLMn Conseildesa,ta foftheAns daeanda