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The Times Advocate, 2005-02-23, Page 16Crossroads 16 Wednesday, February 23, 2005 Exeter Times Advocate Museum gets another boost Sheila Hodgins accepts a $1,000 cheque for the mittee from Patrick Heffernan, representing the (photo/Stephanie Mandziuk) Donnelly Museum fundraising com- Irish Benevolent Society. By Stephanie Mandziuk TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF LUCAN — Hats off to the Donnelly Museum fundraising committee and its volunteers. In just one year more than $440,000, almost half the fundraising goal, has been secured for the new museum. It's been a challenge according to com- mittee member Sheila Hodgins. The hope of getting a provincial funding grant has fizzled but there's optimism the federal gov- ernment will come through with $350,000. The committee has been bustling with fundraising activities. Hodgins described them during the Lucan and Area Heritage Dinner Feb. 15. Among the achievements so far: a $9,000 profit from the Country Christmas Home tour; $3,000 from bus tours marking the 125th anniversary of the Donnelly mas- sacre and three separate donations of $25,000 each. The most recent comes from the Irish Benevolent Society, a cheque for $1,000. Hodgins is passionate about her committee and its fundraising goal. "We feel this museum will be key to the revitilization of the downtown business core," she says. "Lucan right now is hot. We are being talked about constantly. This is our year to do some major fundraising. Not only is Lucan hot, our fundrais- ing committee is hot ." More events are planned in the coming months, but the hottest ticket in town is "The Donnelly Trial." It's a new play by Londoner Chris Doty. Two previews are slat- ed for June 25-26 at the Lucan Community Memorial Centre. Doty graciously agreed to this, as yet another museum fundraiser. Meanwhile opening night for his new play is June 30 at the old cour- thouse in London, site of the origi- nal trial. For ticket information about "The Donnelly Trial," or details on other museum fundraising activities con- tact Sheila Hodgins at 227-1812 or Muriel Culbert at 227-4766. Courtroom theatrics come to life By Stephanie Mandziuk TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF LUCAN —"There's a certain sense the story has no closure or ending," and that's why there's an ongoing fascination with the Donnelly saga. Documentary filmaker Chris Doty says it's one reason why he is drawn to the 125 year-old tale. Doty has written a new play, "The Donnelly Trial," focusing on the courtroom drama surrounding Const. James Carroll, charged with the murder of Johannah Donnelly. Carroll's first trial resulted in a hung jury and the second, an acquit- tal. Doty says at the time, it was widely felt there should have been a change in venue to Guelph. The Crown feared Lucan was too close to London and many witnesses may be intimidated by possible retaliation from those living in the community where the murders occurred. Doty says a complete transcript of Carroll's trial does not exist. He had to rely on published newspaper reports to piece together what hap- pened. Doty reviewed articles in the London Advertiser, Toronto Mail and Toronto Globe newspapers. Surprisingly, references to the trial in the London Free Press were torn out of old newspapers. Doty sus- pects a collector may have removed them. After completing his research, Doty found: "The character of the people on the stand really came through, who is trying to hide some- thing and who is trying to avoid a question." Doty admits he is using a bit of a gimmick to promote his play. Twelve audience members will sit on stage as the jury, deciding the fate of Const. Carroll. Doty says he has written two endings, guilty and not guilty, and the actors will react accordingly. Doty is a big supporter of promot- ing local history. He continues to help the museum in its fundraising drive. On Feb. 15 he donated one of the jury seats to the museum com- mittee during the Lucan and Area Heritage Dinner. Doty then turned into an auction- eer. The winning bid of $200 was secured by Patrick Heffernan. Heffernan will join 11 other jurors June 30 for the world premiere of "The Donnelly Trial." It will take place at the site of the original trial, more than a century ago, inside the London Middlesex courthouse, now known as the Middlesex County administration office. But first, two previews of the play are scheduled for June 25-26 at the Lucan Community Memorial Centre. This is another museum fundraiser. Tickets are still available, including a few hot seats on the jury. Watch out for computer scams By Stephanie Mandziuk TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF HURON COUNTY — Beware of internet scam artists says, Huron County OPP officer Don Documentary filmaker Chris Doty promotes his new play "The DonnellyTrial"at Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Lucan. (photo/Stephanie Mandziuk) Shropshall. A number of Huron County residents have contacted police about suspicious e-mail messages they've received. One e-mail comes from someone claiming to be a foreign car dealer trying to sell you a vehicle. Then there's a woman named Mary Grant who says she belongs to the Anglican Communion Knighthood with links to an orphange. A so-called bank manager from Nigeria wants your help in claiming more than $18.5 million U.S. from an inactive account. Finally, you could be one of two lucky winners in the Netherlands international cyber lottery Scams like these are ongoing. Shropshall says don't waste your time reading them and better yet, don't even open them. If you receive an e-mail from someone you don't know the best thing to do is hit "delete."