HomeMy WebLinkAboutLakeshore Advance, 2011-08-24, Page 5R
Wednesday, August 24, 2011 • Lakeshore Advance 5
letters to the editor
Standing ovation for flar:lsse he play
Dear Editor,
A rich experience and a standing
(ii ttion for the original idea of
isse, the Play:
All my thanks and appreciation go
to the amazing and humanist, Paul
Ciufo, playwrite for Narcisse; Joseph
Wooden, who wrote "A drum to beat
upon" (a basic element to Narcisse's
Play); Duncan McGregor; artistic
director and great collaborator in
giving Nardsse such a tribute. Many
credits to St -Joseph Historical Society
(a tremendous organizadon) for
taking the initiative to bring the
history of Narcisse Cantin and the
French Community of St.Joseph.
Thank you, Joan, for insisting on me
sharing my culture and my language
to benefit the whole community.
Many thanks to lead actors Sue Arm-
strong (tosephine) and Rob Bundy
(Narcisse) and Cam Laurie (Cabana)
..., dedicated artists for understand-
ing me while struggling in English as
my second language and encourag-
ing me in my new passion for acting.
Shawn and Tania comforted me and
helped me with my lines; Roberta,
Aimee, Christa, Bev, Lora -Lea and
Barb boosted my confidence with
smiles and warmth. Cappy Onn
playing violin with expertise for "the
Chorus, and acting professionally (as
MP Shenitt) was a great incentive to
me playing the role of MP mrtre, in
the ''House of Commons "scene!
Steve was so kind and even more
chain Moliere's language!fl An
honourable mention to Tyler playing
'Sir W.Laurier sitting at my side and
inspiring me confidence!
Matthieu Burdan , a young non
experienced trilingual (French,
Gernan,English)actor played Nap
with charisma and charm; Marcel
Richard (French Canadian) added
authenticity with his skill and talents
through French Canadian traditional
instruments such as: button
accordion, harmonica, wooden
spoons and "Le gigueur" , also
olaying "Brother Anda" known as
Aikl...re Andra in Quebec (who was
'llEnonised last fall and now Saint -An-
dre Bessette). Thank you for accept-
ing this huge challenge and being an
asset to the production!
A special mention should go to the
non French speaking Chorus, young
girls and quick leamers (Veronica,
Larissa, Courtney, Sydney, Cosette,
Courtney Groot, Katrina, Abby) and
women (Roberta, Aimee, Christa,
Bev, Lora -Lea) who invested great
efforts and time in learning songs
working on pronunciation, intona-
tion, grammar, verbs, punctuation,
phrasing, and finally memorizing in
French. Each individual talent
delivered perfect harmony, Roberta
Walker; gifted soloist, sang beautifully
in French: ale vous salue Marie" et
"Les trots cloches" and joining the
Chorus for all other songs. Also
singing "Love is a treasure (her own
composition) and for playing violin
too. Well done! Furthermore, not to
forget the talented musical director,
Arlene Ambrough who looked after
technical effects and musical
arrangements. All musicians were
really impressive, exhibiting their
talents in playing violin, guitar, banjo,
flute, piano -accordion and Irish
whistles! This unique and unbelieva-
ble story could not have been told
without costumes, set design and
building, props, technical expertise,
stagehands and ushers! Donna and
Leigh -Ann kept a close eye on the
entire cast and crew, caring for
everyone in the extreme heat! I
cannot name you ail individually but
I remember everyone of you! A+ to
the families with members (some
with four and more...) involved
beside their everyday work and
parental obligations. You touched
my heart!
I was privileged in being able to
select traditional French music and
songs from the personal collection I
have gathered over the years through
different choirs and my teaching. A
la Claire Fontaine, Les trots cloches, Il
keit une bemire from France and
Aupri's de ma blonde, Vive la com-
patgnie, Bonsoir mes amts, Envoyons
d'1'avant nos gens, La bastringue, rat
tant dense, Wilke rustique, Dans nos
vieilles maisons from Canada. All the
comments that I have received from
local friends were very positive, and
visitors from Quebec and France
were astonished to find so much
interest in French Canadian Culture
and Music in this area, Although the
songs were sung in French it did not
prevent the audience from
understanding the Essence of the
Play. 1 cannot say how supportive
the team was toward my input as a
French Canadian. It was a privilege
to contribute to "Nardsse".
CHAPEAU! (Hats Off) Duncan and
Paul, you have made my dream to
share my French Canadian Culture
(one of the THREE founding cul-
tures) come true! You brought to life
the story of Nardsse and given the
Cantin family and the Community of
St -Joseph the place in History they
deserve. That is what 1 call a
CANADIAN LEGACY! DE 'POUT
MON COEUR, MERCI A VOUS
TOUS!!!
Claudette Leger
OCTAD
SPOSOR
www, lakeshoreadvance.com
Mark Burr Special to lakeshote Advance
Horse plowing
Lyle Douglas provides a horse
plowing demonstration at
the Western Ontario Steam
Threshers at the Forest
Fair grounds. The Western
Ontario Steam Thresher's
Association is the oldest club
of its kind In Ontario and has
been described as the "Best
Steam and Heritage Show in
Canada".
Increasing awareness about children vision
QM1 Agency
Lakeshore Advance
With just a few short weeks until
children head hack to school,
Ontario's optometrists want to
challenge parents' knowledge about
the facts of children's vision.
"There are many myths about kids
and their vision. These age old
myths often prevent parents from
taking preventative steps to have
their child's eyes examined," says Dr.
Shirley Ha, Oakville area optometrist
and a past president of the Ontario
Association of Optometrists (OAO).
Troubling statistics show that
despite the fact that one in six chil-
dren has an eye or vision problem
significant enough to impair their
ability to learn, only a relatively low
percentage of children under five
years of age have a comprehensive
eye examination by an optometrist.
Children who cannot see well will
struggle to learn and to participate
fully in school. Experts agree that
80% of a child's learning is done
through their visual system.
To dispel these myths, the ()A()
has developed ten quick true and
false questions for parents to test
their knowledge. The Eye -Q test can
be found on their website www.E:ye-
SeeEiyeLearn.ca.
"For example, one myth is that
children should have their eyes
examined only if they complain to a
parent and this is false. Children at a
young age don't know what their
vision is supposed to look like, limy
have no way to compare so they just
try to cope," says Dr. Ha. "Many par-
ents are shocked to learn that their
son or daughter has been struggling
to see after an exam."
The Ontario Association of
Optometrists, with funding assist-
ance from the Ontario Government,
is also increasing the awareness
about the importance of early iden-
tification of vision problems through
the Eye See...Eye Learn program.
The program encourages parents of
Junior Kindergarten children to
book eye exams with participating
local optometrists. If the child needs
glasses, they will be provided free of
charge through the assistance from
industry partners. The program will
be expanding across the province
over the next five years. 'lhe prognun
is currently running with Halton,
llamilton-Wentworth, Dufferin-
Peel and Windsor -Essex school
boards.
Eye exams are covered under the
Provincial Health Insurance or your
child's health card annually until
they are 19 years of age.
Early detection is critical for con-
ditions such as lazy eye (amblyopia)
and turned eye (strabismus), which
can often be treated successfully if
they are diagnosed early enough by
an optometrist, ophthalmologist or
family physician.
'lin take the Eye-Q'I'est or to learn
more about children's vision, please
visit the Ontario Association of
Optometrists' website at www.Eye-
SeeE:yeLearn.ca or call toll free (855)
424 -ESE[. (3735) Optometrists are
providers of primary eye care in the
province of Ontario who are univer-
sity educated and clinically trained
to diagnose and treat disorders of
the t'i'e an(t visual system. Founded
in 1909, OM) is the voluntary pro-
fessional organization that repre-
sents more than 1,-10) optometrists
in Ontario.
Partners in learning launches new fall program
Lakeshore Advance
When: Monday, September 19, continuing every Mon-
day until November 28
Time: first session - 10 -2 second session - 2-4 (pre-
registration required)
Location: The Pine Dale Motor Inn
Sanatyana once said "The wisest mind has some-
thing yet to learn"
Partners in Learning is a local, non-profit group of
volunteers who have undertaken to provide the Grand
Bend and area community with interactive learning to
enrich the mind. it is based on a peer -learning con-
cept that has proven to be a great success in many
communities throughout Canada and the world.
Courses are conducted in small groups, consisting of
not more than 20 members. It is an affordable and
stimulating way to keep your mind active, to learn
something ne v and to meet others in your commu-
nity, who share the same interests. Participants are
encouraged to research and make a presentation
based on the course that they are taking. It is a very
casual and fun learning environment and "Partners"
continues to grow in membership every year. 'l here is
also a Winter session and a series of one day courses in
the Spring.
Courses offered this Fall include Trials of the Fatuous
and infamous, Pitch Your Passion, and Bridges.
Past course's have included (;hosts'I'owns, Grave-
yards and Unusual Places, Shipwrecks of the Great
lakes, Food, 'Travel the World and Unsung Canadians.
"There is something for everyone!
For more information email Iwilbur(&hay.net.