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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2012-04-19, Page 30PAGE 30. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2012. Metal pile raises $1,500 Locals nominated for Huron cultural awards Born to be wild The members of the Almost Famous Players theatre troupe took to the stage at Blyth Memorial Hall as part of the Women’s Day Out event on April 14. The group, shown here performing Steppenwolf’s Born to be Wild, is based out of Wingham. (Denny Scott photo) The vitality of Huron County’s arts and heritage community is celebrated throughout the year with a repertoire of performances, programs, exhibitions and events. On Saturday, April 14, a packed house at the Bayfield Town Hall celebrated 27 nominees including individuals, organizations and events whose names were put forward by colleagues in the county as contenders for the 2011 Cultural Awards. All of the nominees do excellent work and contribute enormously to enhancing the quality of life in Huron. The Huron Arts and Heritage Network (HAHN), a not-for-profit organization that represents individuals, organizations and businesses and works to engage our residents, enhance our visitors’ experience, build awareness for locations, sites and celebrations and enrich our community spirit hosted the celebration. Five awards were presented. Nominees for the cultural event/organization award were: Bach Music Festival of Canada, Blyth Festival Singers, Celtic Folk Society/Celtic Roots Festival, Out of the Storm, and Riverview House Concerts. Jenna Ujiye, a member of the Board of Directors, presented the award to Celtic Folk Society/ Celtic Roots Festival. This annual festival celebrates folk music, dance and craft art traditions of Canada’s immigrant and founding cultures. This year they celebrate their 20th anniversary with five music stages, dance performances, artisans market, the Celtic College, a kids’ day camp, and a Rural Roots concert series. Inspired leadership of Warren and Eleanor Robinson, supported by many volunteers, billets and sponsors, and assisted by a summer staff, the Celtic Folk Society/Celtic Roots Festival attracts thousands of Celtic culture lovers to Goderich each August. Festival Founders Warren and Eleanor Robinson accepted the award. Nominees in the individual artist category were: Paul Ciufo, Karen Melady and Linda Wiebe (Worth their Salt), Frank Moore, Greg Sherwood, George Zoethout. Director of Cultural Services, and HAHN Board member, Meighan Wark presented the award to Greg Sherwood. Sherwood began teaching in Huron County in 1988 at Seaforth District High School where he supplemented the arts program by bringing in renowned local artists. When he moved to F.E. Madill Secondary School as head of the art department he continued to bring artists in to inspire students. He led student field trips to Toronto, Montreal, Chicago, Ottawa, New York and Paris to visit galleries and study architecture. Through his volunteer work with the Blyth Festival Art Gallery, Sherwood has curated many professional exhibitions and has chaired the annual student show for 11 years. He has also been instrumental in ensuring the success of the annual community show. Outside the classroom and his volunteer interests, Sherwood is a recognized painter in his own right. His large sprawling canvases featuring local landscapes and clouds blowing across broad skies have been exhibited in Blyth, Bayfield, Goderich and London galleries. The community contributor award recognizes a volunteer, sponsor or donor that has made an impact on Huron’s cultural community. The nominees were Elizabeth Battye (Blyth), Margaret Day (Wingham), Gail Grant (Bayfield), Friedhelm Hoffman (Exeter), Jim Lee (Brussels), Peter Meades (Bayfield) and Duncan McGregor (Blyth). David Armstrong, Chair of the Huron County Historical Society presented the award to Friedhelm Hoffman. Hoffman had a vision of a major festival in South Huron being a catalyst for community pride while showcasing the enthusiasm of a rural community for the development of cultural life. This dream became a reality in 2011 as the entire community embraced the inaugural Bach Music Festival of Canada. As chair of the board, Hoffman’s role was critical as he led with enthusiasm, dynamic energy, organizational ability, and unflagging belief resulting in outstanding achievement. Hoffman, as a Warden at Trivitt Memorial Church, is committed to community outreach through development of harvest weekends, Octoberfest events, children’s theatre and entertainment, dinners and Sunday community church services. A gifted leader, Hoffman encourages others and believes in their success. Nominated in the youth category were Mathieu Burdan and Curtis teBrinke. Eric Coates, Artistic Director of the Blyth Festival, presented the award to Lisa and The Blyth Public School Grade 8 class, thanks to the efforts of several community members, are a lot closer to paying for their school trip this year. A scrap metal drive collected enough to raise $1,500 for the students and, with the upcoming annual community supper and auction at Blyth Memorial Hall on April 26, the class hopes to be over the top according to student Phaedra Scott. Phaedra’s father Mike helped to set up the scrap collection drive and said that he couldn’t have done it without the help of local community members like Lieven Verschaeve who brought in his loader from the Walton-area to help load up the bins as well as finding other sources of scrap. The fundraiser came about as a result of a family member cleaning out a garage and making $600. After learning about that, Mike gathered up metal from his own property and ended up raising $400 on his own for the class’s upcoming trip in the fall. The metal was taken to Secondary Resources in Goderich, a company that specializes in recycling materials. Forthcoming Wedding Connie and Tom Black and Chris and the late John Garrick are pleased to announce the engagement of their children Jennifer and Joe. A September wedding is planned. Tickets at The Centennial Hall Box Office. Call: 519-672-1967 or online: www.centennialhall.london.ca TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2012 – 7:30PM CENTENNIAL HALL - LONDON Makes A Great Christmas Gift Makes A Great Christmas Gift Makes a Great Mother's Day Gift! Happy 50th Anniversary Lyle & Yvonne Youngblut Love your family Join us to celebrate at 254 Hamilton St. (Home of Darryl & Karen) 2 pm - 4 pm April 21, 2012 Best Wishes Only F.E. Madill Drama Guild presentsAdmissions by Colleen Neuman Thursday, April 19th at 7 pm F.E. Madill SS Drama Room Cost is $5/person at the door Please come out and support the Drama Guild! A play about life...and death. Entertainment Leisure& Continued on page 32 By Denny Scott The Citizen