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Times Advocate, 1994-7-6, Page 24Page 24 Times -Advocate, July 6, 1994 _COM MLIbJ_I1I1' -- Glengarry School Days opens in Blyth Season premiere set in 1800's carries modern day message in politics and home life By Erin Lobb T -A staff BLYTH - In Glenglrry School Days, the Blyth Festival season. opener, a community of Scottish Presbyterian pioneers attempt to maintain ordr itran untamed land. Although a comedy, the per- formance offers the audience an ee- rie glimpse into a society not so un- like our own. The political strife and family conflicts echo the ones familiar to many of us. Mary and Thomas Finch, played by Brenda Devine and,Gordon Mil- roy, deal with youthful rebellion, religious obligation, teenage angst ant spousal differences. In the search for a resolution lessons in re- spect and forgiveness are learned. Set in the Twentieth Log School- house, in Glengarry County near Kingston, the set also doubles for the Finch household. Set designer Glenn Davidson has mastered the art of simplicity in his design, which is both authentic and multi- purpose. Director Janet Amos has brought ,Anne Chislett's script to life by as- sembling a lively cast of local schoQt- liildren and seasoned pro- fessionals. Hughie Murray (Teaguen Onn) is the curious son of Reverend Gor- don Murray (Dennis Fitzgerald). 1 Glengarry School Days actress Brenda Devine who plays Mary Finch , at left, helps a faint Maime St.Clair (Sheri Hastings) recover from dizziness after seeing Ranald MacDonald (An- drew Croft), middle. Looking on is, in back, Thomas Finch (Thomas Albrecht), Jessac Finch (Naomi Vl dal)), and in front right, Hughie Murray (Teaguen Onn). Second Chance Appliances opens new business EXETER - Second Chance Appliances on Main Street Exeter is a part of the group of nevi busi- nesses that have recently opened. "It's great now that there arc more stores," says owner Rick Ma- tucci, "that means more traffic and more people." Mattuci's business stemmed from locals expressing a desire for inckpensivc used appliances in good condition. After completing his education Mattucci came home to Exeter to embark on his new venture. "It's slow but it's picking up," he says. "But I expected that. It will take awhile to get known. But before th t I will have to work on some newarketing techniques, such as a bigger sign." Second Chance Appliances has been open for three weeks and would welcome new customers. Composter training program LONDON - Interested in helping reduce yard waste and organic kitchen garbage going to the land fill by 30 to 50%.? If so, enroll in Master Composter Training Pro- gram that trains volunteers for Home Composting education for the residents of The City of Lon- don and Middlesex County. This training program will be July 13, 14, and 15 at Grosvenors Lodge from 7 to 10 .am. The pro- gram trains volunteers in the meth- ods of composting, bin construc- tion. how to conduct works Vcrmicomposting and how to p Londoners who want to or have compostcrs. After~ifle training program you arc qualified to do public out reach, set up composting programs ind conduct educational work- shops. There is no charge to enroll in the program and all materials are provided. Volunteers are expected to give 8 hours a month to the pro- ject (this includes a monthly meet- ing). In addition to doing commu- nity service, you will be helping the environment and working with an enthusiastic group of people. To enroll or for additional infor mation contact the TREA rotline at 672-5991. 4 Hughie learns throughout the per- formance about honesty, love and forgiveness. In his first per- formance Onn is a treat to watch as his innocence lends itself --to the in- tegrity of the piece. Cliff Saunders' portrayal of Long John Cameron also deserves special mention. Cameron peppers the en- tire "performance with his wit and charm. His crazy attire and out- rageous hair added the finishing touches to this character's role as comic relief. Ranald MacDonald, the shy mis- understood scholar played by An- drew Croft, also deserves credit His performance as the "strong silent type" is complimented by the romantic interest of Maime St. Clair, played by Sheri Hastings. Unfortunately the romance did riot bloom as much as it might havefor the young couple. Blyth Festival has set an ex- cellent precedent for the following three plays which will round out its 20th season. Also playing is He Won't Come in fromthe Barn which opened June 28.. -Bouncing Back and The Black Bonspiel of Wullie Mac- Crintnton. Glengarry School Days runs until July 30. Tickets are $6 for youths, $9.50 for previews, $15 for week- day and matinee performances and $19.50 for Saturday evening per formanees. Fire Board review Will the four councils be asking for any changes to their arrangement) EXETER - A four-year old agreement for the Exeter and area Firsi Department is up for review. How and if the document is changed may alter the way in which fire protection services are distributed and paid for in local municipalities. Currently, Exeter pays 60.45 percent of lire board costs, Usborne Township 29.55 percent, and Hay and Stephen Townships the mini- mum of five percent each. Exeter's amount has increased from 54.06 percent when the agreement was first drafted, due to assess- ment increases. "I think it's important everyone read that agreement carefully," said deputy -reeve Lossy Fuller, who asked town councillors to bring _ their comments to the next council meeting. Councillor Robert Drummond agreed the agreement should be re- viewed carefully, and mayor Bruce Shaw said council's homework is to bring suggestions - r changes to the next meeting. The other local councils will also be reviewing the agreement for possible changes. Town clerk Lir. Bell said the old agreement was drawn up in 1990 mainly to address rent for the new Exeter lire hall, and is due for re- view. She said although the assessment apportionment is updated every year, there may be other terms of agreement that need chang- ing. It* Sidewalk Sale .�: up to60' ,0 SUMMER FABRICS BROADCLOTH Selected $2,70M QUILT SQUARES 50% OFF SEAFORTH SEWING CENTRE Main St.. Seaforth 527 1900 OPEN IRI -111-'t off Discontinued covers. Discontinued styles. Wid erection including all Marvelous Middle Sleep Sets. MEI BED • FRAME with the purchase of any F estonic sleep set r"