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Times -Advocate, May 27, 1998
Desjardine Orchestra reunites for special cause
Reunion to be held in honor of original band member Myraline Desjardine
Remembering the past. From left, Elroy Desjardine and
daughter Sandra Dickert hold mementos from the 32 year his-
tory of the Desjardine Orchestra.
By Katherine Harding
T -A Reporter
EXETER - For 32 years, the Des-
jardine Orchestra were mainstays
on the local music scene.
Founded in 1948 by Zurich res-
ident Elroy Desjardine, the group
played gigs all across south western
Ontario.
The band began literally as a la-
bor of love. Elroy along with wife
Myraline started their musical ca-
reers by playing house parties in
the area.
Elroy then recruited other musi-
cians to join the duo and soon local
music history was made with the
creation of the Desjardine Or-
chestra.
On June 6 fans of the group will
able to relive the memories when
the Desjardine Orchestra Reunion
is held at the South Huron Rec
Centre.
Of the 30 band members the
group had over its entire musical
history, 24 are making the pilgrim-
age back to Exeter for the special
event.
The event is being held in mem-
ory of one of the original group
members who won't he able to be
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ACROSS • . 56. Zounds! 13. Sundances gal _
57. Seventh month of Place
1. Pavlovian subjects the Jewish year 18. Repairs
5. Photo flaw 60. Humid 22. Tam. e.g.
9. Cohort of Clint and • 62. Festoon 25. Competes
Waylon 65. Stiff 26. Stadium cheers
14. Duke of Moscow 67. Bubbly in a bottle 28. Spoil
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36. Hatha or Kundalini
23. Small amount 76. Like morning grass 38. Snatch
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before you
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wds.)
(Shakespeare)
grape" (2
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Moines
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Actress Jillian
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'
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4
there.
The Desjardine's daughter and
event organizer Sandra Dickert has
organized the reunion in honor of
her mother and group memberMy-
raline who passed away in 1994
from cancer.
All proceeds raised from the
planned afternoon jamboree and
evening dinner and dance will be
donated to the Exeter chapter of the
Canadian Cancer Society,
The Desjardine Orchestra built
up a loyal following and rich his-
tory over their three decades of ex-
istence.
They were one of the busiest
groups in the arca. For years they
played 'for your listening and danc-
ing pleasure' nightly for a week in
July at the Imperial Hotel in Grand
Bend.
Dickert tells with great pleasure a
story that once during a per-
formance by the orchestra at the
Imperial, bandleader Ronnie Haw-
kins, playing at a hotel across the
street "came over to see what band
had stole his crowd."
In 1972 the orchestra played for
the official opening of the Tax-
andria Club in Arkona, opposite
such greats as Walter Ostanek and
Frankie Yankovic.
Elroy and Myraline in 1957 also
established the legendary and ex-
tremely popular Bluewater Dance -
land in a building at the St. Joseph
airfield. The orchestra played there
every Friday night all summer for
18 years.
However, the music un-
expectedly stopped when Elroy
while returning from a Wingham
engagement in 1981, suffered a
stroke which prevented him ,from
playing the guitar.
The band soon disbanded but not
before playing their farewell gig at
a concert in Lakeside in 1982.
Harold Borden Sr., a member of
the band from 1971-1982, is look-
ing forward to the upcoming 're-
union.
"I enjoyed every minute of it and
I'd do it all over again," said the
Huron Park resident. -
A road north of Zurich
was named for the Blue -
water Danceland, a venue
that the orchestra es-
tablished and popularized.
Residents cultivate garden
HENSALL - Queensway
Nursing Home residents had a great
time Friday morning planting a
vegetable garden in special wheel-
chair level planters. They hope to
harvest tomatoes, radishes, lettuce
and green onions. Discussion "took
place about the difference between
store Nought tomatoes and real,
homegrown tomatoes as well as
fresh green onions added to salads.
Residents arc looking forward to
providing daily attention to the gar-
den.
Nancy Fraser of the Hensall
United Church led worship service
Tuesday afternoon with Marg Cole
assisting residents.
Several retirement home resi-
dents attended Breakfast Group
Wednesday morning with volunteer
helper Edna Deitz. Bacon, eggs,
toast and coffee or tea were
enjoyed as well as lots of good con-
vcrsation. Winnie Hutton, Pastoral,
Care volunteer led Bible Study
• Wednesday afternoon for her study
group. Others benefitted from a
quiz -and card game in the lounge.
They tried out their new bread -
maker on Thursday. Their first
attempt was a little heavy.
A Volunteer Appreciation Party
is planned for May 27 from 2 to 4
p.m. If you have helped in any way
you are welcome to attend.
Queensway is having a corner at
the Hensall Community Yard Sale.
They will have bargains and food
for the crowd. Proceeds will go to
Resident Council. Max and the
Town Liners will entertain at the
May Birthday Party on May 28 at 7
p.m. All community seniors are
welcome to join them.
IEveI\yty Ibiw IMccie
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3 inch pot
mom
Daily fresh supply of:
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• Perennials • Geraniums and much,
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for your gardens and planters
Gardeners Choice
Hwy. 4 South end (Exeter)
"1 really enjoyed playing with the
Desjardines. It was like playing
with one big family...1 would not
hesitate playing with anything the
Desjardines were involved with."
In the mid-70s, Harold's son Har-
old Borden Jr. joined the band at
the age of 15 when the group's
drummer didn't show up one night.
The reunion will be an event to
celebrate the times and music the
Desjardine Orchestra created. "El-
roy, now 77, will even be there to
strum his guitar.
The afternoon jamboree which
begins at 2 p.m., is free but dona-
tions will be accepted at the gate.
Tickets for the evening buffet
and dance are $15 or $5 just for the
dance.
They are available by calling
235-3953 in Exeter, 236-4469 in
'Zurich or 457-79f4 in London.
Capsule Comments
with Ernie Miatello
Losing weight is a "mind thing". Since eating
and drinking. are often used as rewards to
soothe ourselves after stressful times, it's im-
portant to find other ways to nurture ourselves
when we are feeling blue. Brisk walking can be
a great stress reducer. Give it a try!
At the turn of the century, the top causes of death were pneumo-
nia, flu and tuberculosis. As we come to another turn of the cen-
tury, the top causes are heart disease, cancer and stroke.
When you are measuring liquid medications, it's important to use
a standardized spoon. Regular 'household spoons vary greatly in
size and using these could result in the wrong dose _being given.
Ask us for standardized spoons.
We advocate the "SAFE" method of giving medications: S = See
the label for complete instructions. A = Ask your doctor or phar-
macist if you have any unanswered questions about the medica-
tion. F = Follow the directions carefully. E = Enter the dose given
in a diary for quick and easy reference. -
HURON APOTHECARY Ltd.
Phone 235-1982 440 Main St., Exeter
"Your Health Care Pharmacy"
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