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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1996-01-10, Page 6Greeters at Londesboro United Church on Sunday, Dec. 31 were Bob and Mary Peel. Ushers were Jack Lee and Bert Lyon. Harry Lear sang. The Drost family lit the After Christmas Candle. Matthew 2: 13 - 23 was read by Shannon Scott. A baptism was held. The baby was Zachary Dylan Drost, son of Carmen and Mary Anne Drost. Greeters at church on Sunday, Jan. 7, 1996 were Jack and Helen Lee. It was announced that Parents Without Partners will meet on Thursday 7:30 p.m. at Clinton Anglican Church. Flowers at the front of the church were in memory of Florence Mcllwaine. Shannon Scott sang //ow Many Roads? accompanied by her dad Ken. The sermon topic was "Hearing God's Voice". Junior Youth Group will meet at the church 7 - 8:30 p.m. on Thursday. Next Sunday is Communion. Choir plractice will be held at 10:15 a.m. on Sundays, Jan. 14 and 21. Londesboro WI members will meet Wednesday, Jan. 10 at 2 p.m. at the home of Ella Flood in Clinton. Euchre tournament at Hullett Central School is Friday, Jan. 19 at 8 p.m. Bring a partner and help support the hall project. A special thank you is extended to the girls youth choir, Shannon Scott, Erica Horbanuik, Katie MacGregor, Debbie Hoggart, Andrea Postma, Jen and Angie - Konarski, for providing two lovely anthems for the Christmas Eve Service on Dec. 24. PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1996 Blyth Festival directors retire By Bonnie Gropp With Blyth Festival floating on an even keel, two board members, with 39 cumulative years of helping to steer its course, decided the time had come to step down. Sheila Richards and Helen Gowing, two volunteers with the board since its early years, have demonstrated time and again what dedication means. "What they did for this Festival is immeasurable," says Development Co-ordinator Lynda Lentz. 'Their tireless energy and efforts on behalf of Blyth Festival will br,:missed." Sheila Richards A chance remark during a trip to Goderich brought Sheila Richards onto the board of the Blyth Festival in 1977. "The theatre was at that time restructuring its priorities," she recalls. "They had noticed a significant drop in attendance during the hottest summer months. Lynda Lentz asked me, while we were enroute to choir practice in Goderich, if I agreed that the hall really should be air- conditioned. I said , 'Yes', and I've been on the board since." Being involved is nothing new to Sheila, who describes herself as a community volunteer, so she threw herself into the spirit of Blyth Festival with enthusiasm. In addition to serving one three-year and a second one-year term as president, Sheila has been a dedicated fundraiser for the theatre. "It's often hard work, but was more than worth it when you see the results." Sheila says that the board in the past was a much more "hands-on" type of board. "You needed that direct involvement from the volunteers to make it a go," she said. There was much less staff in those days, only two full-time employees, and the board members were local. "I was the outsider from Brussels," she says. "The people within the organization almost have to grow into it," says Sheila. "Everyone in the industry thinks their theatre is unique and I agree. You need an understanding of your theatre's philosophy. If everyone, from the employees to the board members, has that there are no problems." The principal philosophy for those at the helm guiding Blyth Festival, Sheila says, has always been "to make the decisions that are best for this theatre." Being part of Blyth's commitment to Canadian theatre has been very exciting, Sheila says. "Many of the plays that we premiered have found their way into theatres across the country. The impact that this Festival has had on Canadian theatre has been phenomenal." Blyth has been a training ground for everyone from novice actors to technicians, says Sheila, which is another reason the Festival has made a tremendous contribution to theatre in Canada. After experiencing some bleak times recently, however, Sheila feels the "theatre is back." "According to experts, Blyth should never have survived, but people believed in its importance to the Canadian theatre scene and they didn't give up." Serving on the board for these past 18 years provided Sheila with an experience unlike any other. "The board is comprised of a diverse group of people, with each making his or her own contribution. When you get that in the pot and have it all moving in the same direction you can move mountains." "It always amazed me, when you take all aspects of the business, that there is such a wonderful mix of people and what can happen when that mix works." Sheila has nothing but praise for the talents brought to the Festival from its artistic directors, board members and local supporters. "They have each given something special to this theatre. Again it's what can be accomplished when people work together." "I feel Blyth Festival has been very fortunate, but on the other hand, we've all worked hard for it. It's been achieved by a group of dedicated people." Though Sheila is ready to move on after 18 years of helping to guide the Festival, she admits that she will only be a phone call away. "There is a strong loyalty to this theatre that I have noticed over the years. As people move on they retain a strong feeling for Blyth, a love for this theatre. It's wonderful to know there are such good friends who understand and love Blyth Festival." "It's been a great 18 years, one of the most worthwhile endeavours I have been part of. People say you can't go back, but I think we have the past two Seasons and it's working. I believe Blyth Festival has many wonderful years ahead." Helen Gowing When James Roy came up with the idea of starting a professional theatre in Blyth, a recruitment for board members began. It was 1975 when Roy and Keith Roulston approached Helen Gowing, a former business person in Blyth, then councillor, to see if she would be willing to serve on the board of directors. Though Helen had no experience with this type of industry, she did have a strong interest in seeing Memorial Hall revitalized. "It didn't take too much persuasion. I thought it sounded like a good idea and my main focus was to get our Hall back into use." A resident of Blyth since 1947, Helen wanted to do what she could to help the community that she said had "always been good to me and my family." Helen, who was secretary of the board at one point, says she primarily helped out in all capacities as a board member and a volunteer. "In the beginning the board members literally did everything. We ushered, we baked, it was definitely a 'working' board. The directors were called on to do just about anything that needed to be done." Watching the theatre grow over the years was similar to a proud parent watching a child gain success beyond their dreams. "It beCame more than I ever thought it would be," says Helen. "I had been able to see (the hall) getting beyond community use, but I hadn't envisioned a summer theatre, with professional actors." Being on the Blyth Festival board of directors has been a learning experience. "One thing that surprised me about this industry is that no theatre ticket sales compensate for the costs. Fundraising and government or corporate support are essential, Without them you couldn't possibly have a theatre like Blyth." Of her 21 years on the board, Helen says, the biggest highlight was that first opening night. "There have been others in the years since, but that one seems to be the biggest, seeing the Hall full of people." Being part of the expansion project for the Hall was another experience Helen will remember. "That was an exciting time." Even the most dedicated volunteers, will come to a point when they know it's time to move on. For Helen that came a couple of years ago. However, with the Festival facing a financial crisis, she felt it was not a good time to walk away. "I wanted to stay to see through this, but now that Keith and away. "I wanted to stay to see through this, but now that Keith and James are back on the board it seems like a good time to leave." Sailing smoothly after some turbulent times, Blyth Festival is, Helen believes, "on its way up again." Looking forward to pursuing personal projects and times with family, who May, she admits, have been left out on occasion because of her commitment to the board, Helen is pleased to have been part of Blyth Festival's history. "It has been something that is good for the county as well as Blyth. Through the youth company and shows produced by Duncan McGregor, it has introduced our schoolchildren to something they may otherwise not have had the opportunity to experience. I am very proud that we have this community-based theatre in our -village." I ondesboro E. Flood The news from to host el WI Peels greet at United meeting UNION GAS ANNOUNCES NEW STORE HOURS for the Blyth & Brussels Office BRUSSELS OFFICE NOW OPEN Monday, Wednesday & Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. BLYTH OFFICE NOW OPEN Tuesday & Thursday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. NEW STORE HOURS EFFECTIVE AS OF JAN. 2, '96 omptie or one 523-4360