HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2008-08-06, Page 150'
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
TIMES—ADVOCATE
15
FItneLpnper Announcements/Community FI
Artistic director finds a happy combination
By Yvonne Reynolds
SPECIAL TO THE TIMES -ADVOCATE
BLYTH — Members of the
Exeter and Area Probus Club
traveled to Blyth for their July
meeting to hear Eric Coates
relate the fortuitous circum-
stances that brought him to a
fulfilling career as artistic direc-
tor of the Blyth Festival.
He was introduced by Don
McCaffery, whom Coates
applauded as an exemplary
example of the standard of vol-
unteerism at Blyth, noting that
the theatre would not exist with-
out such support.
Coates told of seeing a video
during English class in his
Guelph secondary school of the
famed Huron County Farm
Show that showcased the
serendipitous integration of his
two interests — farming and
theatre. (The Farm Show led to
the founding of the Blyth
Festival.)
After graduation, Coates was
at a crossroad. Should he pur-
sue an acting career, ignited ini-
tially by playing Santa Clause in
his kindergarten Christmas play,
or find work in the farming
community among people
whose camaraderie and hard
work he admired and respect-
ed?
Coates chose the latter, and
went to work for a pig farmer.
One winter morning, Coates was
pushing a wheel barrow of
manure just outside the barn
when a chunk of ice loosened by
the warm sun hit him on the
back of the head and knocked
him face -first into the muck.
"That was a seminal moment.
Let's try acting," he laughingly
recalled.
Coates attended the famous
Ryerson Theatre School, then
found roles in theatres in
Guelph, London, Halifax, New
Brunswick, Stratford and
Canadian TV series. He was
part of the troupe at Blyth in
1995, as "actor, director, writer,
Happy 60th �
Birthday ir
GLORIA -
McFALLS ' LO
From Guess Who?
RUCK & DOE for Rob
Warwick
& Andrea
Glavin
Sat., Aug. 16
BRUSSELS ARENA
• Tickets $5 • Music by DJ
• Age of Majority • Lunch Provided
administrator and carpenter".
This stood Coates in good
stead when appointed artistic
director in 2003.
He is continuing the Blyth tra-
dition of debuting original plays,
begun with the first season's hit
"Mostly in Clover" by Wingham-
born Harry J. Boyle.
"There is a huge amount of
work to get the season going",
he said, comparing his job to
inventing, developing, research-
ing, marketing and producing a
product, putting it on the shelf
and waiting to see if it sells.
Coates need not worry about
the 2008 playbill.
The local and farm -related
plays — the marijuana -grow
operation in "Harvest," the
intergeneration struggles within
a successful feed business -own-
ing family in "Against the
Grain," "Courting Johanna"
adapted from a story by famous
Huron County resident Alice
Munro and the Stephen Truscott
story "Innocence Lost" are all
BUCK and DOE
KELLY R UTTE N &
DARRYL SMILE
Fri., Aug. 8 •9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
BLUEWRTER RRENR, ZURICH
$5/person • Age of Majority • DJ and lunch provided
Bus leaving South Huron Roc Centre at 9:30 p.m.
Community Corner
DECORATION DAY
EXETER PUBLIC CEMETERY
Sun., Aug. 10
Service at 2 p.m.
Guest speaker:
Dorothy Henderson, Diaconal Minister
On the National Staff at the
Presbyterian Church in Canada
Summer Supply Service at the
Caven Presbyterian Church, Exeter
PUBLIC WELCOME
In case of rain, service at Caven Presbyterian
Church, 68 Main St. S., Exeter
Community Services Department
519-235-2833
attracting capacity audiences.
Coates couldn't be happier.
Heading a successful theatre set
in a prime agricultural area,
attracting not only local patrons,
but theatre -lovers from across
Canada and the U.S., is the con-
summation of his first loves,
wedding the rural scene to the
stage in a mutually beneficial
affiance.
Exeter Probus will visit Blyth
again in August for lunch at the
Blyth Legion and a matinee per-
formance of "Innocence Lost."
Extra tickets are available by
contacting Don McCaffery at
235-0301.
�,COME
1111.
AGON
SINGE 1930
Are you new to the
Exeter and surrounding
communities?
IF YOU ARE:
• Moving • Marrying
• 7 -Caving a Bady • Retiring
• Starting a Business
PLEASE CALL
For your in-home visit,
free gifts & information
FAYE 228-7053
1-877-675-8452
www.welcomewagon.ca
GRADUATION
Janna -Lynn Weber
Graduated from the University of
Windsor with a B.Sc (Honours) in
Computer Science specializing in
software engineering co-op. In the
fall she is starting at the University
of Waterloo in Masters Math
Computer Science with focus on
Human Computer Interaction and
Software Engineering.
Janna is the daughter of Bill and
Ginger Weber and granddaughter of
Jim and Marg Love.
We are so proud of you Janna.
Congratulations
Love your family
Look 14*0 s 46!
August 7th
Love Gord, Carlene
and James
xoxo
PET ADOPTION BULLETIN
Huron OSPCA (Ontario Humane Society)
BAXTER
Baxter is a fun loving one -year-old male, neutered
dog. He is a black and tan Shepherd mix boy who was
surrendered to us after his owner could no longer
adequately provide for him. Baxter's foster family tells
us that he is definitely a family dog and loves nothing
more than to cuddle with his loved ones. They say that
he listens well both on and off the leash and does not
run off. He is very trainable and is learning commands
quickly. Baxter needs a home where he is a treasured
part of the family.
Contact the Huron OSPCA at 519-440-0250
• Open Mon. -Sat. 9-4 at 48 East St. Goderich
CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE AT www.huronspca.ca
to see all the dogs and cats who need loving homes!
SPONSORED BY GeoShack Canada Ltd., 240 Thames Rd. W. EXETER
Family and friends are invited to an
OPEN HOUSE
Sun., Aug. 10 - 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.
at Hessenlond (located of St. Joseph, North on Hwy. 21)
to celebrate Ian and Shirley McAllister's 1
50th Wedding Anniversary
Love and Best Wishes from your family 1
— — — — — — — — — — J
1
1
1
1
1
1
GEST WISHES ONLY PLEASE
Happy 60th
« M 99
A
Love From
Your Family
Help Us
Celebrate!
Mom & Dad
and
Grandma &
Grandpa
:i.
STUART AND
SHIRLEY POLE'S
50th Anniversary
on Sun., Aug. 10 ~ 3-6 p.m.
BRANCH 498 GRAND BEND LEGION (BEHIND HMO)
J