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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2011-04-21, Page 11THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 2011. PAGE 11. Due to a perfect storm of a larger cast and decreased rental properties, the Blyth Festival is facing a housing crunch like none in recent years. Festival General Manager Deb Sholdice says that this year’s company has swelled in comparison to other years due to the year’s shows and their cast demographics. This, coupled with a lower-than- average amount of rental options in Blyth, has created a dire situation for Sholdice, who wants more than anything to keep the company local, rather than finding them places to stay in outlying areas. Sholdice says that there is both a practical and abstract reason for this. She says that because of the history of the Festival and how intertwined each year’s company is with the community, she wants to keep those involved with the Festival local, but practically, since many young people involved with theatre live in Toronto, many of them don’t own cars, so transportation could become a concern if they had to stay outside of the immediate Blyth area. The “perfect storm” in casting this year that Sholdice describes comes from an unintended break from the Festival’s usual casting method, where actors are generally cast in the first and third shows and then a second batch of actors generally appear in the second and fourth shows. The composition of this year’s season, however, has made that impossible, with very few exceptions. This year’s first show, Hometown, has a large and diverse cast, due to the nature of the show, while the year’s third show, Rope’s End features just two core cast members; a “two-hander” as Sholdice describes it. The second show is Vimy , which features a cast that is largely male, while the fourth show is Early August, a play with a predominantly female cast. Because of the inability to cross cast members over this year, she says that she will end up with contracts that run from June 6 to August 6 and from July 1 to the end of August, rather than longer contracts that company members might usually see. Sholdice admits that this is a bit of a freak concern that couldn’t have been planned for, but it has created a tough situation for her to figure out as general manager and housing co- ordinator. In addition, she has received a lukewarm response to housing requests from the community this year. That is something, she says, that she can’t put her finger on. She says that there isn’t likely any larger issue behind this, availability simply fluctuates over the years, and because of the Festival’s company situation, this was an unfortunate year for it to downturn. “For 35 years we have been able to keep actors, directors and production staff in comfortable places for the summer,” Sholdice said. “We’re hoping to find apartments and houses that we can rent so we can provide these people with their own space, but we are also looking for comfortable billets as well.” Sholdice said she would love to hear from people in the community with an empty basement apartment or a comfortable spare room with access to a bathroom and a kitchen. She says that because of the fashion in which the Festival has been woven through the community over the years, those willing to offer up comfortable living quarters can be doing twice as much good as they think they are. Sholdice says that while providing a living space for the Festival would help the theatre, as well as the community and the economy, several of the Festival’s long-time volunteers and housing providers have ended summers with lifelong relationships with company members. Sholdice says that she has requests, both from housing providers, as well as company members, regarding living quarters when they arrive in the summer. There are company members who look forward to seeing housing providers each year, so much so that they will request that they stay at a certain place for the summer. Relationships like these, Sholdice says, have persisted while she rhymes off a handful of community members who have past and present company members with whom they exchange Christmas cards every year. “These people work very hard and while they’re here, I want to give them the best experience I can,” Sholdice said. “We all have great respect for them. These people come here and perform theatre for us, it’s nice to be able to give them a great experience. “If we can do that for them, it’s a lot easier for them to come back,” Sholdice said. Sholdice says she would like anyone with a house or apartment they’d like to rent to a Festival company member to give her a call. She will also be investigating billets, so anyone with a spare room or living space they would be willing to rent is encouraged to give her a call at the Festival office at 519-523- 4345. By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Festival hit by housing shortage in 2011 NEWS FROM BELGRAVE Florence McArter greetedworshippers and handed out theservice of worship on Palm Sunday,April 17 at Knox United Church.Rev. Tom Murray welcomed the congregation. The Sunday School children and youth took part reading responsively a paraphrase of Psalm 12 upon entering Jerusalem. The children and parade entered with palm branches and gazed at everyone and greeted the congregation shouting out good tidings and everyone joined in singing “He Came Riding on a Donkey”. The prayer for Palm Sunday in our world was read responsively with the Sunday School children and youth taking part. “Ride On! Ride On in Majesty! was the song of thoughtful praise. Steve Coultes was the narrator of “On the Tuesday of last week” (the fig tree) with interactive meditationand taking part as the fig tree wasportrayed by Jenna Hopper and Rev.Tom as Jesus.The prayer of offering was read responsively. Nancy Folkard and Nancy Jardin took up the offering which was dedicated. Jesus (played by Rev. Murray) poured water into a basin and prepared to wash Simon’s feet (played by Kathleen Stennett) and wipe them dry with a towel. Peter refused to let Jesus wash his. Kathleen in her role as Peter represents us who think we are better than others because we follow Jesus. Jesus is a servant who is willing to perform any task like washing a person’s feet just like a slave would do. Rev. Murray washed Kathleen’s feet. This servant is your Lord who does the work with love. We are called to serve each other; just as theLord does. “Christ Let Us ComeWith You” was sung. Jesus invites usto eat and drink with each other. Thesession members were set up at stations sharing the bread and wine. The senior choir sang, “Beneath the Cross of Jesus” accompanied by Elizabeth Stennett on the piano. The closing prayer and the Song of Easter’s Expected Praise – “Christ is Alive” concluded the morning worship service. Good Friday Service is on April 22 at 10:15 a.m. Easter Sunrise Worship (outside the church) is at 7 a.m. April 24. Bring your own lawn chairs and a blanket if cool. The worship will be inside if the weather is inclement. After worship, breakfast will be served in the lower hall. On April 24 Easter Sunday service will be at 10:15 a.m. entitled “Early One Morning”. Everyone is welcome. By Linda Campbell Call 357-2188 PEOPLE AROUNDBELGRAVE On Thursday, April 21 there is a Vacation Bible School meeting at 7 p.m. in the church basement. If you can help, you are invited to attend. The ham and scalloped potato supper is on Wednesday, April 27 at the Belgrave Community Centre with sittings at 5 and 7 p.m. Tickets are available at the Belgrave Co-op. A huge white Easter Bunny made an appearance at the Belgrave Community Centre on Sunday afternoon to the delight of over 30 children and parents. The children took part in an Easter egg hunt and then spent time playing games and colouring. The children had their picture taken with the Easter Bunny and treats were handed out. The Community Centre board thank all those who brought their children out, it made for a great afternoon. Rev. Murray plays Jesus, washes parishioner’s feet THE PROJECT: The County of Huron is planning to carry out repairs to the Londesboro Road Bridge, which is located immediately east of the community of Londesborough on County Road 15. The structure spans a tributary of the Maitland River (Pollard Municipal Drain). The rehabilitation project would involve the replacement/repair of deteriorated bridge components. This will include the replacement of the existing concrete railings with solid concrete barriers or parapet walls and concrete repairs to the deck. At this time, it is anticipated that the bridge rehabilitation would be completed during the 2011 construction season. The affected road section of Londesboro Road would remain open during the construction period; however lane restrictions would be necessary. THE ENVIRONMENTAL SCREENING PROCESS: The planning for this project is following the environmental screening process set out for Schedule B activities under the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) document. The purpose of the screening process is to identify any potential environmental impacts associated with the project and to plan for appropriate mitigation of any impacts. The process includes consultation with the public, stakeholders and government review agencies. PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT: For further information on this project please contact the consulting engineers: B.M. Ross and Associates, 62 North Street, Goderich, Ontario, N7A 2T4. Telephone (519) 524-2641. Fax (519) 524-4403. Attention: Kelly Vader, Environmental Planner (e-mail: kvader@bmross.net). A Screening Report documenting the environmental assessment process will be available at the Municipality of Central Huron administration offices, 23 Albert Street, Clinton during normal hours of operation, as of April 18, 2011. If environmental concerns arise regarding the project which cannot be resolved in discussion with the County of Huron, a person or party may request that the Minister of the Environment make an order for the project to comply with Part II of the Environmental Assessment Act which addresses individual environmental assessments. Requests must be received by the Minister at the address below within 30 calendar days of this Notice. A copy of the request must also be sent to the consulting engineers at the above address. If there is no request received by May 13, 2011 the project will proceed as planned. Minister of the Environment 135 St. Clair Avenue West 10th Floor, Toronto, ON M4V 1P5 This Notice issued April 13, 2011 Dave Laurie, Director of Public Works County of Huron NOTICE OF COMPLETION COUNTY OF HURON MUNICIPAL CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR REHABILITATION OF THE LONDESBORO ROAD BRIDGE Favourite Food East Wawanosh Public School students recently competed to see who could bring in the most food for a Me to We fundraiser. Classes were paired up to see who could raise the most and the Grade 4/5 and Grade 5/6 classes won. Shown are event organizers, from left, Judith Hess, Emily Meier, Cassi Carter, Megan Stute, Amelia Pletch and Courtney Guy. Not shown are members Brett Jarvis, Dallas Coultes and Justin Thomson. (Denny Scott photo)