Clinton News-Record, 1984-08-08, Page 340 WATT
POWER
OUTPUT
AUTO
REVERSE
C�PI0NEC11 'KP A450
AMIFM CASSETTE WITH HIGH POWER
H,gh.Power Output 40 WATTS • Auto•Reverse • Locking .
FFIRW • Separate Bass & Treble Controls, Loudness
SUPER SPECIAL
'267.
nab' board member
gives it her best shot
One of Blyth Festival's original board
Members, Helen Gowing has played a major
role in the success in what the theatre is
today
l>It 1972, Mrs. Gowing first became'
Involved with the theatre as.the president of
the Board of Trade for the town. The
president of the Agricultural Society,
Murray Scott, approached Mrs. Gowing to
inquire about whether she would help
produce a special lineup of programs for the
village's fall fair. Mrs. Gowing said she
decided to hold ti eihows at the Memorial
Hall but after viewing the upstairs, it was -
decided that a clean-up was necessary.
"I remember it was sad when we were
forced to tear down some beautiful oil
painted wall hangings," she recalled. "The
backdrops were tattered but it was sad
because a local girl had painted them."
Mrs. Gowing said a number of people,
including Keith Roulston, then the editor of
the Blyth Standard, got together to form a
"bucket brigade."
The group decided that among the events
scheduled would be a queen of the fair
contest. On the eve of the contest, the fire
department inspected the hall and decided
the building was not safe and needed proper
fire escapes.
"They allowed us to hold the beauty
contest but the next day the hall had to be
closed," she said.
Mrs. Gowing then approached council for
their permission to supply funds for the new
fire escapes. She said the money was
supplied but a councillor noticed that a
portion of the ceiling was sagging. Helen
and Keith decided to tackle the task of
raising the money needed to fix the roof and
restore the hall.
Helen said there were a few people who
objected to the money being spent for the
restoration project.
"A few wanted the building torn down and
money spent for a new one," said Mrs.
Gowing.
The retired shop owner had special
memories of the old building and she
explained her attachment. to . the quaint
structure.
"In the 1930's, I used to come to Blyth for
`7
my holidays and I can remember thinking
the hall was a magical place," noted Helen.
"I couldn't see anyone wanting to tear it
down.'
Helen explained how the building was
initially designed' as a memorial to those
who served in World War I and how people
joined hands to raise the money needed for
the monument.
"In those days the people really bad to
struggle to get the money for the hall," she
said.. "There were no government grants so
many went without to pay for the hall."
Today the former business woman says
"it would have been a desecration. to let the
building crumble."
Once the building was restored Mrs.
Gowing had ideas of using the hall for
community events and small shows.
"But it was Keith's dream of having a
theatre as (big) it is today," she recalled.
"Down the road the thought was
overwhelming. Not even Keith expected this
kind of growth."
In 1974, Mrs. Gowing placed herself in a
very advantageous position. She became a
councillor with Blyth council.
"This was great because I was able to
watch whit was going on," she noted.
"There was alet- of support from town
council and we became involved in the grant
program whereby we could raise half of the
money and the government would give the
other half."
Helen said that when the theatre began to
offer quality shows the opposition in the
town began to diminish.
As one of the board members who has
worked hard to bring the theatre to what it is
today, Mrs. Gowing said one of the hardest
things to do is keep board members who
have enough energy. She now assists the
theatre by making the cushions that can be
rented for 50 cents. The cushions make your
theatre viewing more comf( rtable and are,
according to Helen, "quits a little fund
raising venture."
In 1978, Helen sold her shop and retired to
her modern bungalow in town.
"Now I feel I can relax," she said. "The
success of the theatre is a thing I think will
carry on."
•
04'
One -of Blyth's first Board members, Helen Gowing has put a lot of energy into creating one
of Canada's best Canadian theatres. Today, she contributes by making the cushions that can
be rented by theatre -goers for 50 cents. (Wendy Somerville photo)
Director remembers Blyth in its, infancy
• from page 2
support and they found they just' couldn't
handle it," he noted.
After leaving Blyth, James became a
freelance director in Toronto before going
on to the Belfry Theatre in Victoria, British
Columbia. '
"Right now Miles Potter (the former
Artistic Director who replaced him in Blyth)
is in Victoria," he said. "Its kind of ironic
that he replaced me in Blyth and then -
replaced me at the Belfry Theatre."
In March of this year, James went to
Winnipeg to become the artiste director of
the Manitoba Theatre Centre. He said that
the Winnipeg theatre is quite larger than
Blyth:
AUGUST
SNOWSUIT SALE
$20. down & 20% off
SIZES INFANTS TO 14
80 ONTARIO ST.
STRATFORD
271.7.432 .
Filter
ueen
'111 THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN VARNA"
482-7103
t
SPORT COAT
and
SLIT SALE
20-50% fcM
On our complete
Stock of Men's
Suits and
Sport coats
Special Rack
of all
SUMMER
CLOTHING
1/2 PRICE
MEN'S SHOES CASUAL
GOOD CHOICE IN THE GROUPS
$1 998 •to $2998
LADIES' DRESS -UP SHOES
PLENTY TO CHOOSE!
$1 998 Yo $4498'
JOGGING TYPE SHOES
• VERY GOOD SELECTION
OF STYLES a SIZES
MEN'S $1 1 98 to $2998
LADIES' a BOYS' . to 2998
ff P
R 'N'S..... ` ea to 2498
' 1 D LECTIO
•Safoty Shoos *Rubber Boots
POVERSIXES MEN'S -LADIES' *WIDE SHOES
*MEN'S -LAMES'
"We have.a $3'million budget, two stages
and are presently ' working on 10
productions," he explained. "We do things
differently. We don't have a mandate on
Canadian material, but wherever I've'
been I've always realized that keeping in
tduch with the community is important."
Right now James said it is time for him to
're-evaluate his own goals. "I'm 33 years old,
I, want to do good theatre and I want to do
theatre that is Canadian."'
He said today there is a battle going on in
the theatre world. The director said many
people do not realize thatCanadian material -
is important.
James is happythat Janet Amos, Blyth's
present artistic director, has kept the
theatre's mandate. The theatre's continuity
has also been attractive to employees.
"I knows lot of people at Blyth and that is
SEIGEL'S SHOES
IN DOWNTOWN LONDON
129 DUNDAS
AT MARKET
330 CLARENCE
AT YORK
because they always come back," he said.
"Blyth has had a lot of repeats."
He explained that though he visits Blyth
every summer, he no longer feels part of it,
"but I feel that I have connections with it
and I will always feel that way."
Mr. Roy said everyone in the theatre
world is aware of Blyth and many are
expecting the •theatre ,to be in a larger
community. He said the theatre's popularity
has earned it a place in the world of theatre.
"People who work at Blyth appear to be
taking over `Canadian theatre," laughed
James. "Janet will be going on to a large
theatre iri Frederiction (New Brunswick),
Miles took over for me in Victoria and I'm in
6 Winnipeg.
"In. 20 years, Blyth Festival will have .a
special place in the history of Canadian
theatre.
INSURANCE
Call:
BOB
MCKINLEY
RR 3, CLINTON
TEL: 482-3714
•LIFE and HEALTH •
•R.R.S.P.'s & INVESTMENTS
*ANNUITIES
•GROUP BENEFITS
•GUARANT.EED INVESTMENT
CERTIFICATES
LICENCED WITH
Dominion Life
THE DOMINION iFE ASSURANCE COMPANY
July
31
Aug.
1
2
3
4
5
6
Rain
WQath�r
1984 1983
28 10. 26 16
28 14 25 '14
30 17 27 14
27 15 24 11
26 16. 26 17
29 14 27 16
3017 28 15
11 mm °r 50 mm
CLINTON NEWS -RECORD, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8,1984 --PAGE 3
oinin the Cake -walk
Following the popularity of this summer's
hit play CAKE -WALK the Blyth Festival is
holding a real Cake -Walk of its own as part
of the Country Fair on Saturday, August 11.
Categories for the Cake -Walk are:
- Blyth Festival Tribute: cakes that reflect
the Festival's past or present.
- Love That Chocolate: decadently delicious
chocolate cakes.
- Divine Cheesecake: create a heavenly con-
fection.
- Morsels and Crumbs: general category/IP/or
all other cakes.
The Cake -Walk is open to all interested
persons; one entry per person. Each cake
must be accompanied by the recipe to en-
sure homemade status. (Full details of rules
and regulations can be obtained by calling
523.4345.)
Prizes will be awarded for each category.
In addition, special prizes will be awarded
for the best decorated cake, the cake judged
to have the most calories per square inch,
and for the best cake baked by a child under
14 years of age•
Contestants must bring their cakes to the
basement of Blyth Memorial Hall between
10 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 11
for registration and judging. The Cake -Walk
itself and the awarding of prizes will take
place at 1 p.m.
Get out the flour,. sugar and eggs, and
start baking! Your cake could win the Cake -
Walk!!!
Children doing Shakespeare
Shakespeare in Blyth? Performed by
children? Yes, that's what's happening. The
Blyth Festival's Young People's Workshop
has begun rehearsals on an adaptation of
Geoffrey Trease's popular novel CUE FOR
TREASON. Fifteen youngsters, aged 12
years and over, are involved. They come
from the Blyth, Wingham, Brussels,
Belgrave, and Clinton areas.
CUE FOR TREASON has been specially
adapted for the Festival by David Stewart
Craig, the founder of Theatre Direct Canada
and author of BOOSTER McCRANE, P.M.
which premiered last fall -at the Toronto
Free Theatre.
The play takes place in Elizabethan
England and revolves around a plot to kill
Queen Elizabeth I. The plot is foiled by two
young boys, members of Shakespeare's ac-
ting
sting company.
• Jim Schaefer, a familiar name to Blyth
audiences, is directing the production,
assisted by Judi Skinner and Michy el Han-
nigan. Jim was a member of the -acting com-
pany in the Festival's first season (1975) and
has returned on many occasions as actor,
director, and playwright. The production is
designed and co-ordinated by Kerry Hackett
and the children themselves.
Members of the public are invited to at-
tend performances of CUE FOR TREASON
in the Blyth Lions' Park ( weather permit-
ting) starting at 4:30 p.m. on the following
dates: August 10, 11, 12, 15 and 16.
Expropriation issue...
• from page 1
said presently, the cost tor the river
expropriation are being paid for by the
funds that are generated from the marina,
Reeve Johnston said if these funds run
out, then the money will have to come from
the taxpayer.
"It is my understanding, and I belive it is
in the books, that the village was authoriied
by this body (the ratepayers) last year and
given the support of the majority of
spending up to $60,000." said the Reeve.
The ratepayer asked if the villagers are
aWare of this figure. The Reeve said they
(council) have been asked at several council
meetings where they arrived with the
$60;000 figure.
"It came from this body," he said. "If .it
continues to get costly, then it would be a
question if the taxpayer would have to pay if
it runs over and above what revenue the
marina can generate," he added.
Apparently, the revenue from the marina
is above $10,000 a year. "At the present time
I don't see that the costs will go beyond
that," he said.' "I. guess it depends on how
long we drag this thing with Mr. Turnbull."
The Reeve was also asked if the village is
liable for the costs of Mr. Ti
Turnbull's lawyers
as well as the village's lawyers. Reeve
Johnston explained that this would' only
occur if the village became involved in a
compensation package that would mean
they would back out of the proceedings. He
said if this occurred then the village would
be responsible for the costs.
"I would have to say if anyone should be
compensated, it should be the village," said
Reeve Johnston. "It's Mr. Turnbull and the
Gemeinhardt family who wish to push the
issue."
The Reeve finished by saying he did not
want to leave the ratepayers with any,
"misconceptions". "If this goes on, and if
there is a compensation package, there may
be a cost to the taxpayer,". addressed the
Reeve. "It is extremely important that you
indicate to the village now whether you are
prepared to show your support to council in
the acquisition of this land through
expropriation if it requires a financial
donation by the village.
He said council are going to be guided by
the input they receive.
On August 14, another expropriation
hearing will be held to determine who has
legal rights to the hillside property.
We would be happy to order your Royal Albert or
at our special discount price these two days only,.
Hwy, 21 238-g
Grand Bend
Open Mon. - Sot. 9 - 6
C� PIONcER®
BUY THIS WEEK AND BEAT THE
PRICE INCREASE
MPIONEER KP•2000
AUTO -REPLAY CASSETTE
DECKIAMIF,11, §TEREO •,
• Auto -replay and auto -eject • Locking
last•torwardlrewind • Hate permalloy
tape head • Loudness control
SUPER SPECIAL S#S7.
=mom
441)
MOM IMO MIN NM
MPIONEER KP.4205
AUTO -REVERSE CASSETTE
DECKIAMIFM STEREO
• Auto -reverse • MusicSearch • Locking
fast.lorward/rewind • Hard permalloy
tape head • Loudness contrdl
SUPER SPE. CIAL $217-
MPIONEER' KE.A330
AMIFM CASSETTE with
OUARTZ-PLL SUPERTUNER 111 •
• Electronic Tuning • 18 Station Feather.
Touch Presets • Auto Seek • Liquid
Crystal, Frequency' Display • AutoReplay/Ejct • Locking FFIRW..Ta e
Guard 26.
SUPER SPECIAL ti
AUTO -
REVERSE
MPIONECR KE -A630 •
AMIFM•CASSETTE WITH OUARTZ•PLL
SUPERTUNER 111
• Electronic Tuning • 18 Station. Feather Touch Presets
• Auto Seek Liquid Crystal Frequency Display • Metal/
Chrome Tape Play • Separate Bass & Treble Controls.
Loudness • Fader
SUPER SPECIAL
$377.
20 W MAX
MPIONCEn
TS -1030
4" FLUSH
MOUNT CAR
SPEAKER
SUPER SPE CIA
°47.
30w MAX
MPIONEER
TS•1612
61/2" • 2 WAY
FLUSH•MOUNT
CAR SPEAKER
SUPER SPE(:IAL
60W MAX
MPIONEER
TS•1633
6' COAXIAL
2 WAY FLUSH
MOUNT SPEAKER
SUPFR SPE CIA L
17.
90W MAX
MPIONECR
TS•1655
6',,• 3WAY '
FLUSH.MOUNT
CAR SPEAKER
SUPE R,SPFCIAI
927.
60W MAX
MPIONEER .
TS -4102
400" COAXIAL
2 WAY SPEAKERS
Designed for GM Cars
SUPE A SPECIAL
s77
1177 H. z.
00[1 Eni:j
MPIONEER KE -A430
AMIFM CASSETTE with
OUARTZ-PLL SUPERTUNER III
• Electronic Tuning • 10 Station Feather-
` Touch Presets • Auto Seek • Liquid
I
Crystal. Frequency Display • Auto-
Replay/Eject • Locking FFLRW •
1. Metal/Chrome Tape Play, $31%.
SUPER SPECIAL
40 WATT
POWER "
OUTPUT
AUTO -
REVERSE
OPIONEEn KE -A880
AMIFM CASSETTE WITH QUARTZ -PLL
SUPERTUNER III& 2 WAY HIGH POWER '
• Electronic Tuning • 18 Station Feather.Touch.Pi'esets
• Auto Seek • Dolby Noise Reduction • Metal/Chrome
Tape Play • Fader • Separate Bass & Treble Controls,
Loudness
SUPER SPECIAL
'467.
40W MAX
MPIONEER
TS•6903
.6x9
HIGH COMPLIANC
DUA1, CONE
CAR SPEAKER
SUPER SPECIAL
57
80w MAX 100W MAX. •
MPIONEELIZ MPIONEELI
TS -690S
. TS -6907
6x9"-- 3 WAY . 6,9" - 4 WAY
SYSTEM SYSTEM
CAR SPEAKER • CAR SPEAKER
SUPER SPECIAL SUPER SPECIAL
°127
f167.
Last Year's Sale Prices in Effect One More Week
All Remaining PIONEE.R'
\TL
STOCk15%o.ff
An
L. P.'s and
Cassettes
$2.off
AIiTHORILED RADIO SHACK -SALES C:E!VTPE
4