The Citizen, 2012-06-21, Page 19THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JUNE 21, 2012. PAGE 19.
Festival season begins Friday
The world premiere of the musical
Dear Johnny Deere by Ken
Cameron, based on the songs of Fred
Eaglesmith, officially opens the
38th Blyth Festival season on June
22.
Dear Johnny Deere offers an
expressive, toe-tapping and
sometimes hilarious glimpse of the
decisions Canadian farmers face in
preserving their rural livelihood.
More poignantly, this production
also articulates the effects those
decisions have on one farmer’s
relationship with the person he loves
the most.
The play is written by Calgary
playwright Ken Cameron. Born and
raised in southwestern Ontario,
Cameron will be familiar to Blyth
audiences as the playwright of
Harvest which premiered at Blyth in
2008. It became one of the most
successful comedies ever produced
for Blyth and continues to sell out
theatres across Canada.
Dear Johnny Deere is directed by
Blyth Festival artistic director Eric
Coates and is the 115th play to
premiere at the Blyth Festival since
1975.
The cast of Dear Johnny Deere
include J.D. Nicholson Barndance,
Live! Death of a Hired Man,
Rebecca Auerbach Reverend Jonah,
The Ballad of Stompin’ Tom and
David Archibald Hometown, The
Ballad of Stompin’ Tom. Blyth native
Capucine Onn Spirit of the Narrows,
and The Outdoor Donnellys is
returning to Blyth and Matt
Campbell and Jeff Culbert are
thrilled to be making their Blyth
Festival debut in Dear Johnny
Deere.
Preview performances of Dear
Johnny Deere run June 19-21, prior
to the official opening on June 22.
Dear Johnny Deere plays at the
Blyth Festival until July 7. A parade
of vintage tractors will kick off at
around 5:30 p.m. on opening night
(Friday, June 22) and will travel the
length of Queen Street in Blyth,
ending at Memorial Hall shortly
before 6 p.m. The Blyth Festival’s
2012 season runs June 19 to Sept. 1
and also features Having Hope at
Home by David S. Craig, The Lonely
Diner, Al Capone in Euphemia
Township by Beverley Cooper, and
The Devil We Know by Cheryl
Foggo and Clem Martini.
For more information please visit
www.blythfestival.com or call 1-
877-862-5984. Dear Johnny Deere
is sponsored by CKNX Radio -
am920, 101.7 The One and 94.5 The
Bull. Musical sponsor is
Pianovations. The 2012 season
sponsor is Sparling’s Propane
Company Limited and the season
media sponsor is CTV.
Continued from page 12
sleeves and save some lives.
“There’s a higher need for blood
in the summer,” he said. “We have to
try and help that.”
He said it’s important for people,
whether they’re new donors or old
donors, to make an appointment to
avoid waiting and donate.
Last year John’s son Rick and his
wife Anne Elliott gathered 13
donors from the St. Helens area
proving that, regardless of the size
of the community, everyone can
lend a hand.
“Whether it’s a community, a
business, a service group like the
Lions, the fire department, or
whoever, we just need people to
come in and donate and tell
whoever’s keeping track where they
came from,” he said.
Giving blood isn’t the only way
people can get involved either.
If you find yourself with a bit of
aichmophobia, or the fear of needles
and pointed instruments, you can
pound the pavement, start the
telephone chain or simply chat with
your neighbour when you take out
your garbage.
“Anyone can be involved,” Elliott
said. “If you can’t donate, tell
people about it. It’s a life saver.”
Celebrating 60 years
of marriage
The family of
Jim and Mary Hunter
would like to invite you to join them in celebrating the
60th Wedding Anniversary
of their parents.
A come and go tea will be held at their home
9 Parker Drive, Belgrave
on Sunday, June 24th
from 2 pm - 5 pm in the afternoon.
Consider this your invitation to join the family
in celebrating such a special day.
Your presence will be the only gift necessary.
Alison Caldwell
graduated from The University of
Guelph on June 14, 2012, receiving
a Bachelor of Landscape
Architecture. Currently, Alison is
continuing her studies at the Rocky
Mountain School of Photography in
Montana. Alison is the daughter of
Wayne & Deborah Caldwell and the
granddaughter of Gladys Caldwell
and Les & Betty Reynolds.
Congratulations, Alison!
We are so proud of you!
Love from your family.
155 YEARS
ST. HELENS REUNION 2012
2 FUN FILLED DAYS
SATURDAY
• Parade at 11am • Beef BBQ (ltd tickets)
• Dance to Sheldon Baker (age of majority)
SUNDAY
Church Service (Interdenominational & Music by Lee Grant)
History, Log Sawing & Kids games
Come to the
Village with
the Big
July 7 & 8
Daughter of Paul & Joyce Johnston of
Bluevale received her Bachelor of Educa-
tion Degree, from Nipissing University
of North Bay. She achieved a Bachelor of
Applied Science Degree in Child Youth
Family Relations from Guelph University
as well as a diploma in Early Childhood
Education.Congratulations Jill, we are
very proud of you.
Love Mom, Dad, Thomas, Matt, Grandma
Bessi & Grandpa Ken Johnston,
and Grandma Bert Brisbin.
Jill Johnston
Buck & Doe
for
Kelly-Ann Dalton
& Adam Keys
Saturday, June 23
Beef BBQ
5:00 to 8:00 pm
followed by games & prizes
at Sharon & Kelly Dalton’s
41963 Winthrop Rd.
Tickets: $10
Call 519-441-0421
or at UPI, Seaforth
BYOB
Huron Lawn Barber
engages
Happy Baker Chick
Congratulations
Love your families
Entertainment Leisure&
A brand new you
Buttons the Clown was in Belgrave on Saturday for the
Logan Hallahan Memorial Barbecue at the Belgrave
Community Centre. Getting his face tiger-fied was Ryan
Antoniadis. (Vicky Bremner photo)
Awards being given
for most donations