By Pete Sheridan
"In any age it is a duty which every country owes itself, to preserve the records of the past and to honor the men and women whose lives and deeds made possible its present, and today when the whole civilized world is throbbing to
social and political impulses of the greatest significance for the future, we ought especially to call to mind such lives and deeds and catch, if we can, inspiration for acting well the part that falls to each of us."
~ Foreward: The Court Houses of a Century, Elgin Historical and Scientific Institute, 1901
Photos by Claudia Hepburn
Heart's Desire at Elgin Theatre Guild The energy and dynamic of live actors playing for a live audience makes for an experience unique from that of movies or television. Whether professional or community, what shines through at most performances is that the actors, director and all those behind the scenes are dedicated to giving the audience a memorable theatre experience.
Relish Elgin chatted recently with a local actor, Marina Silic and actor/director, Rob Faust. Both worked on “Heart’s Desire” with the Elgin Theatre Guild in March. They offered some insights into their experience with community theatre from behind the stage lights.
Molly is newly-widowed. At her husband’s funeral, Bud, an old acquaintance from more than twenty years ago appears. In the ElginTheatre Guild production of Old Love, the two characters play their present day selves, and also narrate the stories of their younger years in scenes played out by Steven Gauthier and Trish West, both with multiple roles.
The play by Norm Foster presents a series of vignettes in which the two main characters recall past scenes with their spouses and meetings with each other which reveal betrayals, unhappy moments and also flashes of humour. From the early moments of the play, the audience is led to hope that “old love” will finally be a real and happy reality for Bud (played by Rob Faust) and Molly (played by Lesley Chapman).
Photos by Mark Girdauskas
The Talbot Teen Centre invited the public to come learn more about the resources they offer to youth, this past Wednesday. It was their first open house, with presentation of youth tours, community partner information, and chances to win tickets to the Diva Delights fashion show fund-raiser. The new TTC manager, Matt Cossette was on hand to meet those who dropped in.
Performances by any one of Dave Gunning, Suzie Vinnick or Ennis (sisters Maureen and Karen) would be capable of filling the Princess Ave Playhouse in St. Thomas with a whole lot of great music. Bringing the three acclaimed, award-winning Canadian singer-songwriter entities to one stage was sure to create an expectation of musical excellence - their show this past Sunday afternoon didn't disappoint.
Award Photos by Mark Girdauskas
The first annual awards presentation by the ACO St. Thomas-Elgin Branch recognized examples of heritage preservation and those who worked to make them happen, and at the same time provided a virtual tour of the buildings which are located across Elgin County. The presentations took place on April 16th at the St. Thomas Elgin Public Art Centre.
The Architectural Conservancy of Ontario has been around since 1933. The local branch started in 2009, in response to the loss of Alma College through a spiraling process of neglect. Their focus is education and advocacy related to preservation of built heritage.
“March of Time", now on exhibit at the Elgin County Museum, features reproductions of artwork related to nearly every major action of the four years of the War of 1812. They illustrate a time-line, in calendar format, of events of the war from 1812-1815. The calendar “pages” which line the walls of the museum provide a "quick reference" to unfolding events, just a part of the collection of pictures and stories which Linda Stanley has put together with the goal of creating a lasting bicentennial commemoration legacy. Linda was on hand for the exhibit's opening reception on Sunday April 14th.
The East Elgin Community Complex attracted crowds Friday April 12th to Sunday April 14th with uniquely displayed booths featuring landscaping, furnishings, real estate, local services, renovations and more. They were all part of the fourth annual Aylmer & East Elgin Home & Garden Show. The spring event is organized by the Aylmer & East Elgin Agricultural Association with a focus on shopping local.
Elgin-Middlesex-London MP Joe Preston & MPP Jeff Yurek have been staunch supporters of Project Ojibwa throughout the extensive process of bringing the submarine to its new home in Port Burwell. They got to see inside the sub for the first time on Friday, during a tour led by Ian Raven, Executive Director of the Elgin Military Museum and Dan McNeil, Rear Admiral Ret’d., Project Coordinator for Project Ojibwa.
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