The Wingham Advance Times, 1995-06-28, Page 8•
ett's The
lay Helen Hewitt..
From Connie Kaidor's evocative
music to the happy ending,
everything works in the Blyth
Festival production of The.
Tomorrow Box.
Anne • Chislett's play about a
farmwife who discovers her hus-
band has sold the farm without
telling her takes place not on the
farm but at a splendid aluminum -
sided trailer—purply teak panel-
ling and cupboard doors covered
in self-adhesive stuff inside; rusty
swing, wooden pop crate and a bit
of wire fence topped by those old-
fashioned Canadian maple leaves
outside.
Somewhere. a mile or two away,
with a cellar full of canning and a
china cabinet full of treasured fig-
urines, is the farmhouse that has
been Maureen Cooper's home for
40 years.
PERFORMANCE A JOY
To watch Anne Anglin as
Maureen is to forget you are in a
theatre. She simply appears not to
be acting. You expect Maureen to
be leaving the theatre as . you do,
getting into the pick-up with a tray
or two of eggs or her extensive
plasticware collection.
From her entrance with a string
bag of sealers and the tomorrow
box of the title to her last mischie-
vous grin, Anne Anglin create's a
strong identity for Maureen as
surely as she portrays the loss and
rediscovery of this identity.
Chislett's script and Anglin's in-
terpretation provide the social
scenery for women's lives in rural
communities—attending auctions.
and WI meetings, driving tractor
and combine, having fresh pies
ready every single day, buying a
sofa with carefully hoarded egg
Money�, and; always doing what's
best for the family.
WOMEN'S WORK •
Maureen and her husband, Jack,
(Harry Booker) live the ascribed
roles, the gender stereotypes and
the sexual division of labor in this
pre -feminist world: "I never got
the hang of cheques," Maureen
confesses to her new daughter-in-
law, Alice (Jacklyn Francis).
The universality of older wom-
en's experience appears again and
again, for example, as Maureen
comments she never had a chance
to make a decision or as she ad-
mits she just pretended to enjoy a
trip to avoid seeming ungrateful"`
These people retain an unaware-
ness of the cant of the personal is
jhe political. When Alice's even
more ardently feminist sister (Deb-
orah Drakeford) urges Maureen to
make a decision, saying, "You
owe it to women everywhere,"
Jack responds, "This concerns her
and me and nobody else."
Yet Jack is no insensitive clod;
he too is trying to do the best he
can for the family, and the retire-
ment plans were intended as a
pleasant surprise, not a nasty exer-
cise of power.
Caught in the middle is Joe—
son of Maureen and Jack, husband
of Alice and a man eager to farm
after years in the city. Joe has been
away long enough to see both
sides. He is sometimes as concilia-
tory as Maureen, but he knows the
way things work on the farm.
Eric Coates does a first-rate job
of playing Joe asboth his mother's
and his father's son. •
REAL PEOPLE
Never are the Coopers carica-
tures of backward hicks. Little de-
tails, such as a brief reference to
the Piltdown hoax,. work with the
evident success of the.Coopers and
their farm to.reveal people'who are
more than a couple of aging folks
with a younger generation coming
on, and far .more than the embodi-
mept of convention and change.
Aird never .is this comedy
polemical. One of the joys of both
script and performance is that the
play never e•ren begins to preach.
First presented at Blyth in the ear-
ly '80s, The Tomorrow Box omits
the radical rhetoric of those years
to focus on the dilemma of
Maureen and Jack.
The audience clearly recogniz-
es the play's situations and con-
frontations, and constantly re-
spond& with laughter, applause
and, once or twice, a hiss of indig-
nation. Men and women in the au-
dience usually, but not always,
laugh at the same lines.
The .new daughter -in law ("a
real fence -jumper" in Jack's pre-
liminary assessment) and her sister
are from Toronto, don't you know,
and actors Jacklyn Francis and
Deborah Drakeford create believa-
ble characters who complement
the Cooper family dynamics as
they look from the outside in.
Harry Booker plays Jack with
the authority of years of man -of -
the -farm paternalism. His supper -
time . assumptions alone may be
,worth the price of .admission. And
who would have thotight the gruff
old farmer would have romance in
him?
The Tomorrow Box is •what
Blyth does best—it's a play about
people who could be in .our own
families, a play that lets us laugh
at ourselves while we learn a little
more about who we are.
The Tomorrow Box continues
until August 26. Tickets are availa-
ble by phoning 519.523-9300.
44:1:OW`.NKiAWA: '��..➢.':Y.:%•
Helix... featuring Brian Vollmer (centre) will be playing at the Teeswater-Culross Commu-
nity Centre on Friday, July 7. The performance is being sponsored by Teeswater Falcons.
Helix rocks Teeswater
Helix is coming, to Teeswater
onJuly7.
The WOAA Senior 'B' hockey
club, the Teeswater Falcons, are
presenting the Canadian heavy
rock and roll band.
For one member of the band,
lead singer Brian Vollther, playing
in Teeswater will be like playing
at home. •
Originally from Listowel, Voll-
mer has many friends in this area.
In fact, he said it was by doing a
performance in the area with his
weekend, that he was able to get
the Helix gig for July 7. He noted
that is familiar with the small town
atmosphere.
Vollmer is a friend of Dave Ri-
ley, captain of the Teeswater Fal-
cons.
"It's nice to play in this area,
and see friends," he said. •
Vollmer said Helix has been to-
gether for 20 years, although he is
the only original member of the
band.
Helix has released eight albums
during their 20 years together,
with the latest "It's a Business Do-
ing Pleasure" being released two
years ago.
The current members of Helix,
with Vollmer, include guitarists
Brent 4The Doctor' Doerner, from
Waterloo, greg , Fraser from St.
Catharines, bass. guitarist Daryl
Gray from' Belfast, North Ireland,
and percussionist Greg 'Fritz'
Hinz.
Also performing with Helix will
be •Ray Lyell. Vollmer said Lyell
is a friend, having sang on the
groups most recent album.
Canadettes compete in Keady
Nine girls place
well in individual
age groups
Nine girls from the Wingham
Canadette Majorette Corp. compet-
ed in individual events at the Fun -
fest Competition held June 3rd, in
Keady.
Winners for the Overall Miss
Funfest in their age group are:
6.7 - 7.6 Tonia Fear of Wingham,
second
7.7 - 8.6 Rachel Elliott of Brussels,
first
10 - 11.6 Jennifer McDonald of
Brussels, first and Jessica King of
Wingham, third
12 - 13.6 Lori Bridge of Wingham,
first, Jennifer Hall of Wingham,
second, and Danielle Wagar of
Wingham, seventh
13.7 - 14.6 Lesley Elliott of Brus-
sels, third
14.7+ Heather Hall of Wingham,
fourth
Congratulations girls!
SeII...Maureen Cooper, played by Anne Anglin, left, learns the family farm has been sold.
Other cast members of the Tomorrow Box include: Jacklyn Francis, Deborah Drakeford and
Eric Coates. Photo by Off Broadway Productions
Belgrave Community Club news
BELGRAVE--The last meeting of
the Belgrave Community Club until
the fall was held earlier this month
in the community centre with the
president, Jack Taylor, in charge.
The meeting opened with the sing-
ing of "0 Canada", accompanied
by Freda Johnston. at the piano.
The committee in charge of pur-
chasing shrubs` for the front of the
Reta Strong
celebrates
90th birthday
GORRIE--Reta Strong celebrated
her 90th birthday with a special
party on Sunday, June 11, in the
Gorrie hall.
Mrs. Strong was born on the
third concession of. Howick on the
"Burnside farm" on June 15, 1905,
a daughter of late Alex and Flor-
ence Edgar. She was part of a fami-
ly of 12 children and she and her
sister, Nettie Hutchison, who re-
cently celebrated her 99th birthday,
are the only two•surviving mem-
bers.
Reta married John Strong in
1927 and they have a family of:
Helen Currie of Wingham; Bill,
Perry and Bob of Gorrie; Alex of
Wingham; Joanne of Kitchener, 20
grandchildren and 32 great-
grandchildren.
When predeceased by her hus-
band in 1963, Mrs. Strong moved
to Gorrie where she enjoys good
health in her home here.
The happy occasion was well at-
tended with 150 family members
and friends from as far away as Pe-
terborough, Lonbdon and St.
Thomas. She also received many •
cards and even congratulatory
greetings from the prime minister,
the governor general, ,the premier
and the local MPP.
Csnedettes...Back row: Lori Bridge, Leslie Elliott,
Heather Hall, Jennifer Hall. Front: Rachel Elliott, Jennifer
McDonald, Ionia Fear, Jessica King.
Edyth Swan of Brucefield and
her two nieces, Ann McClenaghan
of Owen Sound and Beth McClena-
ghan of Ottawa, were recent visi-
tors with Mildred McClenaghan.
On Sunday evening, Miss McClen-
aghan and John were visitors of
Rev. and Mrs. Clarence McClena-
ghan of Kincardine.
A good crowd attended the 50th
wedding anniversary for Dave and
Evelyn Gibb last Sunday held in
the hall. Family members home for
the occasion included: Murray and
Colleen and family of Saskatoon;
Carl of Manitoba and John and
Judy and family of Kitchener.
Mr. and Mrs. Tom Roth (Marjo-
rie Purdon) visited for a few days
last week with Archie and Mildred
Purdon. On Saturday, Muriel Mof-
fat of Lucknow, Kathy Scheeringa,
Megan and Deven of Elmira and
Kendra Purdon of Toronto all visit-
ed at the Purdon home.
community centre reported that
they, had been planted and the Bel -
grave Co -Op had donated one-half
of the cost. Some geraniums are to
be planted as well.
Those having wedding anniver-
saries in June were recognized.
They are Lois and Stuart Chamney,
Jane and Bob Grasby and Ada and
Ross Taylor. Mr. Taylor also was
•
celebrating his birthday.
Information from Robin Hood
'Tours was given regarding bus trips
to the Seniors' .Jubilee concerts.
A nominating committee of Mrs.
Chamney, Lloyd Appleby and Gar-
ner Nicholson was appointed to .
make ready a slate of officers for
the annual meeting on Sept. 8.
Braemar Retirement Centre
By Charlene Tolton,
Activation Coordinator
We began June on the right foot
at , the Braemar Retirement Centre
as we participated in National Fit -
week with a fitness walk on June 1.
Many of us enjoyed the opportunity
Seniors Day
By Ronda Bennett
Last week was hot, hot, hot with
activity at the Wingham and Area
Seniors' Day Centre. The weather
may have been steamy outside, but
we were able to keep cool.
Last Monday, June 19, our
theme was "Weddings". Everyone
recalled past memories in celebrat-
ing the month 'of June. Pictures
were shared, while the staff brought
in gowns and satin hats.
On Tuesday, June 20, Peggy
Kinsmen, minister at the Lucknow
Presbyterian Church, showed a va-
riety of slides that focused on spiri-
tuality and nature. The day was re-
laxing and inspired everyone to
appreciate the beauty around us.
Last Wednesday, June 21, the
group of seniors celebrated the first
day of summer with a "Strawberry
Social in the Park". Everyone's ap-
petite for good country music was
satisfied with "Huron Strings". The
group of entertainers hails from the
Clinton •area and sent us all danc-
ing.
The 22nd of June was a day for
nonsense. The theme was "Hat and
Tie Day". A combination of shower
caps, bow ties, baseball caps and
bandanas made for a humorous
time.
Last, but not least, on Friday,
June 23, we enjoyed a "Travel-
ogue" with Ruth Thompson of
Lucknow. She showed slides of the
Agawa Canyon. We also had a
chance to play croquet at the neigh-
boring Cruickshank Park. Our hats
go off to the parks department and
the • horticultural society as their
work has made the area very enjoy-
able.
Here's a reminder, our foot clinic
is slated . for today, June 28. Ap-
pointnients can be arranged by call-
ing the centre at 357-1440.
Have a wonderful week and to
all the children struggling with the
last days of school: hang on, the
holidays will be here before you
know it.
to get out in the fresh air and sun-
shine for a stroll.
Toes were tapping and skirts
were swaying as we were treated to
the musical talents of Gord Wall
and his gang on June 7.
On June 8, we experienced the
"Land of the Koala" with an Aus-
tralian outback party. We also bid a
fond farewell to Pam Wilson, act-
ing activation coordinator, as we
welcome back Charlene Tolton
from maternity leave.
Our hats were tipped on June 15
as we celebrated Father's Day with
a "Salute to Dad". Everyone en-
joyed butter tarts as we reminisced
about the advise, expressions and
child-rearing tactics of our own fa-
thers:
We left the comfort of air condi-
tioning and battled the heat on June
21 as we indulged in a picnic lunch
along the mighty Maitland. Many
others joined us by taking in the
sunshine and cooling off with a
swim.
Nursing Home - Week was
marked once again with our annual
summer social on June 25. Family
and friends joined us for our straw-
berry shortcake, refreshments and a
penny auction. All of the proceeds
will be donated to Alzheimers' re=
search.
EVERSON--Ron and Janette Ever-
son of Lucknow are happy to wel-
come Zachery's little brother, Josh-
ua Warren, born June 16, 1995, at
Wingham and District Hospital and
weighing 9 lbs., 2 oz.
Lunch is
READY!
Daily Luncheon Specials
Homemade Soups
Come out for lunch
& bring a friend.
Wingham Golf
& Curling Club
7ct (:nnci sion SO h
of Wingham,
E off Hwy #4
357-2179