HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1995-12-13, Page 13Times -Advocate, December 13, 1995 Page 13
Playhouse holds annual meeting
GRAND BEND - The annual General Meeting of the Hu-
ron Country Playhouse Inc. and Huron Country Playhouse
Foundation was held on Nov. 24 at the Lakeview Cafe.
President Shiriey McIntyre reported 1995 has been a very
aggressive season, raising the artistic stature 4f the play-
house to new heights due to a superb group of theatre art-
ists and technicians. The box office boasted for the first
time, receipts of over $I million from the main stage alone.
Much of the success must be attributed to the Artistic Di-
rector/General Manager and playhouse staff.
McIntyre said directions for the playhouse have never
been more clearly defined by the patrons.
Quality family entertainment is the mandate
the playhouse intends to follow at it enters its
25th Anniversary Season.
Artistic Director/General Manager Max
Reimer reported the playhouse successfully
mounted the two largest, most spectacular
musicals in HCP history and for the first
time hit 80 per cent or better attendance for
all five main stage productions. The playhouse operated
with a balanced budget again with a small surplus of about
$7,000. Fundraising efforts continue to move away from
operating capital and/or reserves as trip draws become an
auction item and donations are being solicited for both re-
serves and operation. Reimer said although this is certainly
the right focus for the playhouse efforts, it makes opera-
tions look relatively less successful.
Playhouse II revenue was behind its 1993, 1994 levels.
The past season is comparable to the average results of PII
throughout its 13 -year history. The Ontario Arts Council
grant, given contingently on PII's risky Canadian pro-
gramming, put PII "in the black." The future of this grant,
and therefore, the future of the all -Canadian playbill, will
be uncertain until January at which time the playhouse
should be able to assess its options. The Seniors' Com-
munity Outreach program, sponsored by Big V Drug
Stores, is undoubtedly the most successful program of its
type in this region for youth -senior relations. The program
"It
obvio
we n
gro
slower
expanded to a six-week tour of homes, centre and hospitals,
reaching a captive audience of over 2,000.
Over the last few years, rising internationals paper prices
and the additional costs of running a more expensive facil-
ity have greatly reduced surplus revenue. Controllable ex-
penses, such as sets, costumes, props. actors' salaries, com-
puter purchases and aavertising had also risen.
"It is now obvious that we need to grow at a slower rate,"
said Reimer.
The success of the playhouse is directly related to the
benefit of the tremendous support received from regional
and local communities and governments, busi-
nesses and friends of the theatre. This strong
support is the defining characteristic of the
playhouse. The Treasurer's report by Al Skin-
ner highlighted the audited financial statements
for the year ending Sept. 30, 1995.
Review and Expense Statement
Net results from operating activities $7,336
Capital fundraising less capital ex-
penditures ($9,652)
Overall net cashflow results ($2,316)
Box office receipts increase $6,586
Theatre expenses increase $78,523
Skinner said fundraising activities continued in a variety
of ways, while a new play was set up to create reserves and
replace provincial and federal grants no longer available.
An on-going capital expenditure program has completely
depleted operating surplus accumulated from past years and
the current year. Despite this, the playhouse managed to
complete $102,236 of required improvements in 1995 to
satisfy safety and labor concerns. Until funding is avail-
able, further capital projects will be carried out only when
absolutely necessary.
Guild President Shirley Platt reported the group of 140
women have met their mandate to enhance playhouse op-
erations both financially and in many "behind the scenes"
efforts. Along with fundraising activities, the guild also
plants flowers, holds Marathon Bridge, and operates ca -
is now
usqatf
e to to
w at a
rate."
tering and clerical committees for HCP.
The guild was able to present the playhouse with a
cheque of $5,000 for a much-needed Public Address Sys-
tem. This summer the Historical Committee worked along-
side playhouse staff to create an historical archive on the
wall leading to Playhouse II.
The guild is now planning a 25th anniversary gift for the
playhouse and has raised funds to be used for the enhance-
ment of the sound system including devices for the hearing
impaired and body microphones for actors. The guild is
also donating two ticket printers which should help elim-
inate long Zine -ups at box office windows.
Renovations Committee Chair Bryan Beattie reported the
capital expenditures during the 1994/95 fiscal year were re-
stricted to renovations and improvements, largely re-
sponding to specific safety or comfort needs of patrons and
staff. These include a Public Address System as well as
improvements to the patron washrooms and upgrades to
staff washrooms, showers and actors' dressing rooms.
The problem of the rehearsal hall located on the second
level of the old barn have yet to be dealt with. The heat
build-up in this area is sever at times and it is not practical
to incur ventilation or air-conditioning costs to the old
building. A proposal is under consideration to erect a new
rehearsal hall at the rear of the existing workshops. The
prosed building has a price tag of about $135,000 including
site preparation, reported Beattie. A problem with the re-
quired property setback has delayed the building permit. In
addition, the timing of commencing construction is un-
certain, pending funding.
"It is hoped that these hurdles will be overcome to allow
the rehearsal hall project to go ahead and be completed in
time for the 1996 season," said Beattie.
Executive Board members elected are: Shirley McIntyre,
president, Jack Riddell, past president, Bryan Beattie, 1st
vice president, Charles E. Baxter, 2nd vice-president, Al
Skinner, treasurer, BruceWoodley, secretary and Dr. Linda
Steele, executive member.
Exeter resident Deb Gardiner takes a break from sorting winter woolies donated to the Huron
County Christmas Bureau at the Exeter Pentecostal Tabemacle Friday afternoon.
ACW send bales to shutins
Word received that
St. Nick will be coming
to St. Patrick's...
Hazel Davis
SAINTSBURY - Saturday De-
cember 9, nine members from St.
;Patrick's and two guests enjoyed a
'delicious pot luck luncheon at the
home of Hazel Davis. Over coffee
and dessert they held their Christ-
mas ACW meeting, beginning with
the members prayer and General
Thanksgiving in unison. Psalm 72
was read by Betty Johnson and Ma -
'bel Needham. Meditation was
based on the reading "A Prayer for
G'd's Anointed One."
A prayer for members called to a
Higher Life was led by Heather
MacGillivray remembering Mar-
guerite Greenlee who passed away
one year ago December 9. Prayers
for sick. remembering Friends Don-
na Thompson and Eva McLean led
by Rose Cunningham. For church
and her work, led by Suzanne Da-
vis, for Sunday Schools led by Vi-
pla Atkinson, Dominion of Canada
led by Margaret Carroll and a brief
history on the name Dominion of
Canada. "She Shall have Dominion
from Sea to Sea" by Mary Davis.
The history of Advent and the Ad -
Sewer reps
chosen
LUCAN - At its Dec. 5 meeting,
council appointed four members to
its new sewer committee.
Paul Dale, Steve Jones, George
Mawdsley and Councillor Harty
Wraith have been appointed to the
committee which will also include
Public Works Superintendent Doug
Johnston and Town Administrator
Ron Reymer.
vent Wreath was the closing of the
devotional period.
For roll call each member gave a
Christmas verse or hymn. Thank
you notes were read also a letter of
thanks from the Bishop of Keewa-
tin Thomas W.R. Collings for the
three bales sent to shutins. A won-
derful collection of food for daily
bread was collected to be delivered
this week. also a cheque to be giv-
en as well. Final plans were made
for children's party next Sunday
during and following the church
service. Word received this week
by satellite that St. Nick will be.
coming to St. Patrick's and will
probably have time for a couple of
songs.
A gift exchange was enjoyed by
everyone and the singing of the
hymn "Away in a Manger" and
prayer was the close of a perfect af-
ternoon of fellowship and friend-
ship.
There was no service at St. Pat-
rick's Sunday December 10 due to
the cold and stormy conditions.
Sunday December 17, Advent 3
(year A) St. Patrick's will hold
their Holy Communion Service at
10:30 a.m. with the Rev. Stanley
Jay as officient followed by chil-
drens pageant and party.
Personals
Bill and Betty Johnson were
weekend visitors with the Davis's.
Jean Richardson and Heather
MacGillivray called on grandmoth-
er Mary Davis recently.
Crystal Davis is participating in .1
ringette tournament this weekend
at Toronto.
Katie -Scarlett MacGillivray was
Saturday overnight visitor with
cousin Starr Davis.
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Lambton
Warden
LAMBTON COUNTY - Forest
Mayor, Gordon Minielly was elect-
ed as the new Warden of Lambton
County on Dec. 6.
The position traditionally comes
with the role of chairing county
council meetings of all the munici-
palities within the county; and the
responsibility of dealing with such
issues as social services, museums
and roads.
"I thought I ran a good cam-
paign," said Minielly, adding he
wasn't surprised at the outcome.
Minielly is looking forward to
the 400 or more meetings and
functions he will attend through
his one year term as warden and
said his main priority is "survival
of the county."
"With all these government cut-
backs we are facing, I think it's go-
ing to be a tough year," he said.
1
Chiropractor
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15 -year
memberships
recognized
EXETER - The three Exeter
chapters of Beta Sigma Phi met on
December 5 at the Exeter Masonic
Hall.
Following a social time, first
courses of a delicious potluck sup-
per were served.
Order of the Rose for active
membership of at least 15 years
was bestowed on Beta Theta mem-
bers Janice Brock, Joy Darling,
Linda Deelstra, Heather Rogers and
Dorcas Wein.
Dessert and coffee were accom-
panied by musical entertainment
provided by Leona McBride on
trumpet and Audrey Haberer on pi-
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