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Huron Expositor, 2007-11-21, Page 28Page 28 The Huron Expositor • November 21, 2007 News Dickens holiday classic to be hosted again by CBC Susan H u n d e r t m a r k The story remains the same but fresh community voices bring the sparkle to A Christmas Carol as Huron Hospice hosts the reading for the third time in Seaforth Dec. 1. "Few events hosted by CBC Radio are as eagerly antici- pated or as warmly received as the readings of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol," says organizer Janis Bisback. "The readings bring togeth- er the pleasure of hearing a good story, the joy of music of the season, and the inspired energy of those who want to make their community a bet- ter place," she says. This season, the fourth annual Huron Hospice read- ing will take place Saturday Dec. 1, at the Egmondville United Church at 7 p.m. The first was held in Goderich. While readers Rob Bundy, of Clinton and Kim Payne, executive director of the Huron United Way return, the new voices of Bruce Whitmore, of Seaforth, Jill Johnston, of Seaforth and Kim Steffler of the CBC add their talents this year. While the performance has been held at St. Thomas Anglican Church for the past two years, the venue changes this year to Egmondville United. "It's wonderful to try a different church since we don't want to burden one church community every year," says Bisback. Musical entertainers will include local recording artists, Kim and Sara Souch and singers Dr. David Walker and Yvette Wilbur, .both accompanied by Marg Whitmore. "It's the people in your community that are your drawing card. I know the story but I want to see how they translate it, the mystery of how they inter- pret Dickens' words," says Bisback. While the readers are asked to practise reading at home, there are no for- mal rehearsals and no one is told to wear Victorian costumes. "It's all fresh that night and one night only," says Bisback. She says the 2006 Christmas Carol was a complete success with over 109 readings across Canada and over $205,000 raised. For the last 17 years, the CBC's performances of the Christmas Carol has benefited shelters, hos- pices, food banks, libraries and other community needs across Canada, and brought joy to the commu- nities that support them. Contact Huron Hospice office at 519-527-0655 for tickets to reserve a seat, as tickets are more at the door. All proceeds go to fur- ther the work of Huron Hospice Volunteer Service which provides palliative respite care for individuals facing life-threatening ill- ness and their families. There are no fees for ser- vices provided by Huron Hospice, a United Way funded member agency. For more information about the services hospice provides please contact the office. The audience is welcome to bring non-perishable food items for the Seaforth Food Bank as well. "This is a tradition that signals the beginning of Christmas, so slow down and enjoy it," says Bisback. 11 ickford to r space! file photo Rob Bundy, shown above at last year's reading of A Christmas Carol, will read again this year.