HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2000-12-20, Page 44Blyth
Festival
announces
surplus
“At year end, Oct. 31, the Blyth
Festival posts an operating surplus of
just over $l§,000,” Karen Stewart,
administrative director of the Blyth
Centre for the Arts reported to the
membership at the annual general
meeting, Dec. 14. “We’re extremely
proud of our accomplishments this
season.”
An increase of over 15 per cent in
attendance at the box office account
ed for this surplus. Anne (the
Canadian classic based on L.M.
Montgomery’s Anne of Green
Gables) adapted for the stage by Paul
Ledoux, led the way with 8,070
attenders, followed by the remount
of Paul Thompson’s collective,
Death of the Hired Maw which
attracted a large number of students
from area secondary schools.
Stolen Lives: The Albert Walker
Story invited significant attention
due to its timely nature and local rel
evance and The Drawer Boy, winner
of the Governor General’s Award
and the Chalmers New Play Award
captivated the Blyth Festival’s audi
ence.
In 2000, the Blyth Festival raised
more funds than in 1999 even with
the loss of three major corporate
sponsors, although the theatre fell
short of its 2000 budgeted projec
tion. The Blyth Festival continues to
have difficulties attracting corporate
sponsorship as few major corpora
tions are located in Blyth’s rural
area.
The 2000 membership campaign
was quite popular with the audiepce
resulting in an increase of 14 per
cent in membership.
This .year the Blyth Festival’s
Endowment Fund increased by
$105,709, bringing the total fund to
$156,459. This revenue was realized
through in-house awareness cam
paigns and participation in The
Creative Trust, a co-operative
fundraising initiative of 23 arts orga
nizations.
“The success of the 2000 season
validates our mission and encour
ages our commitment to continue to
produce and develop the stories that
reflect our lives as Canadians,”
Stewart concluded, expressing sin
cere gratitude to both the members
and the incredible corps of volun
teers who contribute invaluable
expertise and time (over 11,000
hours annually).
The 2001 season will open with a
specular production of The Outdoor
Donnellys, conceived by Paul
Thompson. The rest of the 2001 sea
son will be announced early in
January.
Save by purchasing voucher pack
ages prior to Dec. 22.
Barns collapse
The heavy snowfall, coupled with
the milder conditions which added
weight, has resulted in a serious
problem for some local pig produc
ers.
Chief Building Official Paul
Josling reported that three local pig
bams have had the roof collapse,
one in Morris, one in Grey and one
in Howick. He has also heard of at
least one other, though this is uncon
firmed.
An engineer’s report is being done
on the bam.
There has been some loss of live
stock, though the exact number is
not confirmed.
Our Holiday Wish For You
Bonnie
Gropp,
Editor
Dianne
Josling,
production
i Manager
Janice
Becker,
Reporter
Keith
Roulston
Publisher
Jill
Roulston,
Office
Manager
i Jeannette
( McNeil,
Advertising
Manager
Joan
Caldwell,
Production
Assistant
Your community-owned newspaper
serving you for 15 years
1985-2000
Here’s hoping that all your wishes come true
in this most magical season.
Merry Christmas and many thanks
from all of us at
I v,cky
| Bremner, '
i Darkroom
I Technician/
[photographer
1 II 1
1 Karen
1 Webster,
Proofreader
W ?L