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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1987-08-12, Page 17Times -Advocate, August 12, 1987 Page 15 Wine and cheese welcomes Heritage group A wine and cheese party was held t " ' ". August 6 for members of the Ontario Heritage Committee, Patrons and Museum supporters, at the Lambton Heritage Museum. Curator Bob Tre- main welcomed about fifty people who attended to greet the Heritage Committee representatives, as they AGING BEAUTY —.Southcott Pines resident Coni Holzamer displayed his favorite 1949 Packard four -door sedan at Lambton Heritage Museum antique auto show Sunday, even though it was a rainy over- cast day. T -A photo Connie Keyser - 238-2695 Roberta Walker - 238-2471 Incredible describes background of Corpse The first remarkable thing about "Corpse! ", now featured on the main stage at Huron Country Playhouse, is the complicated, dramatic set design- ed by Tony Abrrams. The second most remarkable thing is an incredibly dynamic dual perfor- mance by French trained actor Mark Christmann and a strong, if small, supporting cast. Another British import, Gerald Moon's script and delightfully en- tangled plot development result in a remarkably easy to . watch, lively thriller done in a comedic vein. The remarkable Steven Schipper directs. The list goes on and on. "Corpse!" seems to me a highly theatric romp through the genre of comedy thrillers, it blends humour and suspense in fluid fashion" sum- marized Schipper. To begin with, author Gerald Moon - One Only 07.4011 'L7L 'LUD 8" x 51' Auger - „ .! .i il/1 r b, $2,450 • Auger. intake shield • Quality gear boxes • N.D. under carriages • Balance and stability • PTO belt drive Call now for details on other units � � ti , 1 1,cr) r�' 4 g t, r.' i ! Sl FARM EQUIPMENT LTD. ' "Serving You For 53 Years” ExeterDashwood 235-2121E11M 237-3242 diacv Levolor. TERMS has taken a unorthadox and more dit- ficult approach in developing the plot, The play cannot be called a Murder Mystery because right from the start we are told "who dunnit". The au- dience is immediately engulfed in the scheme of Evelyn Farrant to murder his twin brother Rupert to get his money. To disclose more of the plot would be to commit another crime. The twists and turns, the things that go right and the things that go wrong in this and every perfect murder plan will leave you holding your breath in suspense one minute and gasping for breath in laughter the next. Mark Christmann gives a sterling performance in the roles of twin brothers Eveyln and Rupert Farrant. He manages to change from One role characterization to the other through the use of subtle body language and ' Itattifer11ThOtlt "Eder thrifllatttgthe two. Evelyn's more flamboyant flakyness is skillfully brought under control as the suave dandyism of Rupert. Both are equally mannered but artfully different. The convoluted plot also calls for Christmann to perform some quick changes and athletic bounding around the stage. This is facilitated by two things -- an ingeniously designed set and the choreography of expert. For this special treatment. the talents of John Nelles, who also ap- peared in Babes in Arms earlier this year, was put to the test. Nelles is an affiliate member of the Society of American Fight Directors, with ex- tensive experience at the Stratford, Iowa and Stoppard Festival Theatres in stage combat and fight choreography. The tumbles after be- ing shot acid the struggles over the gun make for some breathtaking moments of theatre. The stunning set by Designer Tony Abrams is most intrigueing. The three sets required are incorporated into one. This allows the action to carry on without interruption and adds further to the tension as well as facilitates the character changes of Christmann. The 1930's apartment of dillitant Rupert Farrant is in appropriate late version of the Art Deco period. A revolving bar set against mullberry (burgandy and brown) walls and sug- gested burled wood doors dramatical- ly describes the moneyed Rupert. in Window Patio Door Shopping Time Cash 2S% off Pius FREE VALANCE with custom orders (Limited time offer) Mastercard Grand Bend Decorating Hwy. No 21 Grand 9vnrr 218 11601 and Flooring Centre l r,r rt1 „rn ' '. 's I86 1 1 make a tour of museums 'across Ontario. Liberal MPP Dave Smith address- ed the group and gave full credit to local support of the museum, which will celebrate ten years next year. He also promised a continuation of government interest and support for Antique vehicles at Lambton Museum Thirty years from now at antique rallies, the cars will be the heavy motor, custom sports cars like Cor- vettes from the late 1980s. That's the opinion of car collector Coni Holzamer from Southcott Pines in Grand Bend, who had his 1949 Packard four -door sedan, straight 8, one sixty horse power engine on display at the Lambton Heritage Museum antique auto rally Sunday. The cars they make today will never last like these old ones, they won't be around in thirty years, they will be just rust, in the collector's opi- nion, but his Packard will still be showing, or possibly in a museum. Only special cars that people take great pains to look after and protect will be the antiques of tomorrow. "I like to drive an old car -- when I want to just have some fun, I take it out for a drive" explained Holzamer, which is why he brought the Packard to the Museum, although he also owns a 1940 Buick and a 1959 Triumph sports car. So far this summer the car has been driven and shown in other antique car rallies in Goderich and Mt. Brydges and possibly, antique car buffs will see the Packard again in the Crediton Summerfest paarade next weekend. Parades, fairs and special events in which to drive the car used to be more numerous. when Holzamer lived In Listowel and was an active member of the Maitland Valley Car Club. However, since moving to Grand Bend there aren't as many oppor- tunities within a short travelling distance. The deep cream and green paint job is still the same as when he purchas- ed the vehicle 15 years ago, from an ad in the London newspaper. This, however is not the original paint; it had been re -painted from its original colour years before. Everything else is still in good condition and as yet unrestored. Heritage group saves hotel Colleen Curran's "Miss Balmoral of the Bayview" is a little treasure - wit" ty, articulate and warm. It makes you care about each of the rather strange characters who appear, to help Miss Balmoral re -open a run-down hotel. saved from destruction by a phone call to the local Heritage Society. Judith Orban plays the proper, capable Scot, Miss Balmoral, who is still vulnerable to a marriage pro- posal from her former lover, Stephen St. Stephens. Stan Coles is an absolute cad as St. Stephens. Beth Ann Cole. as the wacky housewife and mother of six approaching the big 40, sports a wardrobe Cindy Lauper would be proud of, complete with red streaks in her black hair. Her character, Patsy, is a scream, sometimes too much so. She must have a sore throat after each perfor- mance from all that hyper - screeching. Kevin Bundy, as the gangly, awkward young Shane, real- ly does a good job as he tries to study the art of hotel -keeping at the decrepit Bayview. Makes you want to book a reservation there when the hotel final- ly opens. contrast, the tacky dull wallpaper and symbolic theatre -prop decor of Evelyn adds some comic touches. The upstage outdoor staircase and brick wall offer a mysterious passageway the audience cannot help but be drawn into. The whole set design is made to work by the excellent lighting design by Grant T. Smith, the Production Manager and resident Lighting Designer at Huron Country Playhouse this year. Helen Beavis as the landlady of Evelyn Farrant brings a light comic touch to the production as Mrs: McGee. She is sexy and funny but never sleazy and pathetic and (hese characters can sometimes be. 1 Charles Kerr as the "hired" killer, Major Ambrose Powell, is suitably blustery one minute then vanquished by greed the next. The combat director John belles ironically appears on stage to play the counterpart to the gun fight, as the police!? an Hawkins. Thrilling, action -packed, and hilarious all at the same time, "Cor- pse!" running at Huron Country Playhouse until August 15 can only be rated a "must -see" evening of 'entertainment. Just because a rumor is idle doesn't mean it isn't working. M.vxt F„t,, DeWitt. Antiques Flaa'Markat Sat. i Sun. yandors Wanted STORE OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK- 1 EEK- 1 Mlla S. of Grand Band Hwy. 21, 238.5121 Although Holzamer does some of the maintenance work on the cars himself he claims it is important to look around for an older machanic to do the work when needed. The younger mechanics don't want to take the time required nor do they know how to do repairs to these old type engines, he claims. What started out as a hobby is now an interesting and important part of enjoying life for Coni Holzamer, now that is is "semi:retired". "I didn't know what a Packard car was when I saw the ad. I saw it, liked it and so I bought it" he explained. Holzamer drives a four -door Nissan for everyday use. Phil Noonan and his family, on the other hand, have just driven their restored 1939 "Packard 120" am- bulance over 1200 miles east to the Ot- tawa area and back on their summer vacation, using the 20 foot long, 5860 Ib. ambulance as a camping vehicle. The un -restored interior with original hot water heater, wood medicine cabinet, window blinds and shelves with tiny brass railings is ideally suited to camping use. Among the outstanding features of this beautiful old vehicle are the three foot etched glass windows at the rear, complete with a red cross, symbol of its former life. Purchased eight years ago from a farm near New Dundee, it required 19 months to bring the body work and mechanical repairs up to everyday use. Noonan is convinced it was all worth it. Aside from the value of anywhere between $10,000 and $50,000, the vehicle is of historic im- portance because it is unique. It is a one -of -a -kind, custom made Canadian built car. The body is by Brantford Coach and Body, the nose and chassis by Packard, probably from Windsor and the frame came from Henney in the U.S., specialists for limos, hearses and ambulances. Noonen has even talked with the Ger- man craftsman who did the original custom body work. The oak framing still shows in the roof. Proud of his possesion, Noonan has named his Cambridge Ontario business in honour of the car - Packard Laminating Ltd. RESORT MASS All weekend Masses at Immaculate Heart of Mary, Grand Bend, were celebrated by Pastor Father Paul Beck. The reader at the 11 a.m. Mass was Billy Spindler; the Eucharistic Ministers were Mr. and Mrs. Ad and Frank Smeekins. Paul Dietrich was organist, soloist Roberta Walker sang "Ave Verum Corpus" and God Gives His People Strength". In Father Beck's sermon, he asked if the whole bible could ever be sum- mer up in a few words, answering that its' ultimate message was "I Am With You!" Elizah, the Old Testa- ment prophet, felt alone and in terri- blecircumstances in his day, just as the church is going through very rough times today. We must remember, God is with us, even in tinies of trouble, Christ is never far away - do not be afraid. Congratulations to Ellen Vanden- bygaart and Ron Lakusciak, who were united in' the sacrament of matrimony on the weekend. Father Robert Morrissey's new mailing address is: Our Lady of Prairies, Box 209, Daysland, Alberta. TOB iAO. He'd enjoy hearing. from you! the Museum. Deputy Reeve, member of the County Council of Warwick, Jack MacPhearson, pointed to an estimated attendance of one-quarter million visitors by next year, for its ten-year total, and he thanked Bob Tremain and his staff for a great party. Then Bob Tremain introduced Joe Armstrong, Director of the Ontario Heritage Foundation, and author and publisher of a book, "From Sea Unto Sea", a copy of which he autograph- ed to be raffled at the party. The proceeds from the raffle went to cover expenses of a new museum project, an historical booklet, "lm - ages of Grand Bend". Paul Miller heads a volunteer committee of eight Grand Bend citizens who have gathered an unequalled collection of historical views and important documents detailing the early life of the village. They hope to raise $5,000 to print 5,000 copies of Grand Bend's first history book, celebrating its first century as a recreation playground. Sid Wise, author of seven books, Chairman of the Archeological Com- mittee and Dean of Graduate Studies of Carlton University, was next on the program. He presented Bob Tremain with a framed photo of an old beachouse which stood for 75 years at the mouth of the Sauble River, found among the possessions of fellow author Joe Armstrong's father, to add to the history book. Sid Wise brought greetings from Lily Monroe, Minister of Culture and Recreation. Wise explained that these commit- tee members try to visit as many museums across Ontario as possible, to study heritage projects - ar- cheology, local heritage, history and buildings, and of course, natural heritage. They were taken on ah historical walking tour 'of Grand Bend, as well as seeing the museum itself, and were impressed by the evidence of strong local support. This local support usually results in conti- nuing Government interest in assisting future projects. Warden of Lambton county, Bob Langstaff, thanked Sid Wise and Joe Armstrong for their time, interest and support during their Grand Bend visit, and thanked the local museum supporters as well: Fred Walden, one of the museum founders, drew a raffle ticket on Mr. Armstrong's book "From Sea Unto Sea", with the "Walden Children" as winners on the ticket. Afterward visitors met members of the Heritage committee and enjoyed the wine and cheese party provided by the museum. If you have any interesting old photos of Grand Bend, of which to contribute to finance the history book. please contact Paul Miller, Coor- dinator of the Grand Bend Photo Ar- chives at the museum. Thank you. r HISTORIC VIEWS — Members of the Ontario Heritage Foundation Archaeology Committee, meeting in the Grand Bend area, were taken on a walking tour of Main Street's old -buildings and sites with Lambton Heritage Museum curator Bob Tremain. Volunteer Paul Miller supplemented the tour with historic photographs from the new- ly established photographic archives. - T -A photo Hotson Lighting Clearance % off Entire Stock , A' Free Coffee & Cookies August 14 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. 2 Days Only August 1S 9 a.m.- 6 p.m. Waterford Crystal Up to 50% off . Zweisel Crystal 50% off All Lighting Up to 50% off Mikoso Chino 50% off Royal Albert and Paragon •China Up to 50% off Bross Items 50% off 1 Mlle North of Grand ! Highway 21 Phone: one: 2388240 EVENT ... MADNESS LE ALL SUMMER MERCHANDISE Starts Friday. August 14th 10:00 a.m. to Midnight and .... It Continuos .... Inern MO Fa t ioia boutique Open 7 days a week. Fridays till 9 L 1'/4 miles south of Grand Bend on Hwy. 21. 238-2818 N