The Citizen, 2019-09-05, Page 12PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2019.
Brussels natives meet for 40th annual weeekend
A group of nine friends originally
from the Brussels area will be
hosting their 40th annual get-
together over the weekend, returning
to where it all began at Finch Farms
near Ethel.
The group includes Bev Hodgins,
Shirley Hunter, Joan Beuermann,
Lori Malhiot, Barb Elliott, Judy
Wheeler, Fran Exel, Joyce Pearson
and Linda Roseart, all who grew up
in the Brussels area.
Hodgins explained that the group
are all good friends, but didn’t get to
see each other after leaving Brussels.
“We lived across southwestern
Ontario,” she said. “We decided to
set a date to get together once a year
and catch up and see each other.”
That first get-together was at
Finch Farms on Brandon Road, and
the group will be marking the 40th
anniversary there.
Hodgins explained that the group
talks about life, touching on topics
like family, children, big moments in
life and what they’ve been up to over
the past year.
“Most of us don’t see each other
all year,” she said. “It’s a chance to
catch up. We talk about the things
we’ve done, the things we’re doing
and talk about things from when we
were kids.”
While from the Brussels area,
members were split between Grey
Central Public School (now North
Woods Elementary School) and the
now-closed Brussels Public School,
and then went to F.E. Madill
Secondary School together, but
Hodgins said many of them
connected through church.
While not everyone makes every
reunion, Hodgins said, the events
have grown over 40 years, starting as
a one-day event and evolving into a
weekend-long celebration.
Originally the group visited each
other’s homes for the celebration,
however, as they got older and had
more disposable income, they’ve
rented spaces in places like Grand
Bend, Amberley, Port Dover and
Bayfield.
“It’s something we look forward to
every year,” she said. “That’s why
it’s been kept going.”
The event features some drinks,
lots of food, and time to celebrate
life.
To mark the 40th anniversary,
members of the group are setting up
special events.
“One of the girls has made an
Amazing Race-style event that we’re
going to do around Brussels,”
Hodgins said, adding with a laugh
that the group is calling it the ‘It’s
Amazing We’re Still Friends after all
these Years’ race.
Another member has set up a trivia
competition for the event while, as a
group, the girls have foregone their
typical $20 random gift exchange
and are instead bringing donations
for the local food bank.
Hodgins said it’s nice to return to
Finch Farms to get back to where it
all started, and thanked Dale and
Gord Finch for making the farm
available for the event.
By Denny Scott
The Citizen
Blyth Festival Singers embark on 40th season
Calling all singers, past and
present and new ones, too!
The Blyth Festival Singers are set
to launch their 40th anniversary
season and they are ready to do so
with pizzaz! Concerts for this ruby
anniversary season will be extra
special to commemorate 40 years of
making beautiful choral music since
1980.
The season begins in fine form
with work on Handel’s “Messiah”
for joint performances with the
Stratford Concert Choir. Together,
the resulting massed choir
performances in December will be
120 voices strong! Those who
already have a “Messiah” score
should bring it to the first practice.
There will also be a limited number
of scores available there.
The Singers’ April 40th
anniversary concert will highlight
the group through the years and will
include former choir members,
conductors and accompanists. This
concert will feature the choir’s
favourite numbers over the past four
decades and will celebrate the
choir’s history.
Rounding out the season, the
popular cabaret dinner, concert and
auction in May will have a
Broadway and musical theme
featuring selections from the past 40
years, special musical guests, a full
course dinner and a fantastic silent
auction.
Rehearsals start on Wednesday,
Sept. 11 in the June Hill Room, on
the upper floor of the Blyth Festival
administration offices. Access this
from the back door on the side street.
Come at 7 p.m. to register. Regular
rehearsals are held each Wednesday
night from 7:30-9:30 p.m.
The Singers invite all new choir
members to come out and “try the
choir” for a couple of weeks before
paying for their memberships.
Membership can be paid by the full
season or by each session/
performance for those who are not
able to participate in the full season.
High school students get a reduced
rate.
The Blyth Festival Singers is a
non-auditioned community choir
and people of all ages and singing
abilities are welcome to join. Along
with the opportunity to sing we also
have professional direction and
teaching by Sharon Poelstra, who is
accompanied by Julia Penistan.
If you are new to choir or have any
questions, feel free to contact Sharon
Poelstra by e-mail at
sharonjsings@gmail.com or by
telephone at 519-589-8346.
Anniversary season
The Blyth Festival Singers choir is marking its 40th anniversary season with a special concert
set for April of next year. The choir kicks things off with a joint concert in December with the
Stratford Concert Choir. Rehearsals for the group start. Sept. 11 in the June Hill Room at the
Blyth Festival offices. (Photo submitted)
541 Turnberry St., Brussels
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Great books available for every age at...
Rural Living & Local Authors
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MOMENTS IN
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Goderich historian Colleen
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541 Turnberry St., Brussels
519-887-9114
405 Queen St., Blyth
519-523-4792 The Citizen
Great books available for every age at...
Rural Living & Local Authors
Specializing in
The Rural Reading Room
$2395
JACK OF ALL TRADES
AND MASTER OF NONE
Farmer, mechanic, merchant,
construction worker and
musician, Robert D. McClinchey
lived a fascinating Huron County
life. In words and photos he and
his grandson Greg tell the story.
A new face
Students at Hullett Central Public School were greeted by
a new face this year when school opened. Principal Dree
Park takes over for Matthew Robinson, who was filling in for
Wendy Armstrong-Gibson. Check next week’s edition of
The Citizen for more information about new staff at local
schools. (Denny Scott photo)
Drop by our office in
Blyth or Brussels and
check out our wonderful
selection of books.
We have books for all
ages.
541 Turnberry St., Brussels
519-887-9114
413 Queen St., Blyth
519-523-4792