Marching to a positive drummer

 The volunteer board of the St. Lawrence Acoustic Stage is eager to present its outstanding 2013-14 season.

“This is the first year that we have been able to have our entire concert year planned from the outset,” said board member Derek Hunter. “The financial support we gained this year has allowed us to set up and publicize the full series of 10 performances.”

“I think people are going to leap to their feet cheering for the line-up at the Stage this year,” added board member, Bill Carriere.

The St. Lawrence Acoustic Stage is now an officially registered charity (able to issue tax receipts). Board members are both excited and grateful to have earned the on-going financial support of the municipality of South Dundas, as well as two years funding from Heritage Canada. “Fingers crossed, we should hear any day now from the provincial funding people as well,” said board member Sandra Whitworth. “We have also been utterly flabbergasted at the financial response we have had from our local business community. The sponsorship of area businesses has been priceless.”

 In the 2012-13 concert season, the board saw a dramatic turn around in audience attendance after December. Audiences built to around 65-70 per cent capacity for each show, “very good news for us and for our funders, and for the future,” board members said.

Audiences are coming from the broader SD&G region, as well as from Cornwall, Ottawa and even from as far away as southern Ontario. Family groups are putting the Stage on their schedules: once introduced to the quality of the performers at the Stage, many young people are returning to other concerts, a trend the board is pleased to see. “We have an incredible mixture of shows scheduled, shows which will appeal to a wide range of tastes and ages,” said Whitworth.  “The St. Lawrence Stage is for everyone.”

“I think there is a confidence in us now,” Carriere said, “a confidence from the public that we are going to put on good shows. We have a predictability in the level of talent we present: the performers are outstanding. People really know that they will be attending first class shows.”

There can be little doubt that a first class line up of artists is coming to the Stage.

Opening the season on September 14,  is the phenomenal Shane Koyczan, who literally electrified all of North America and the world with his stunning piece in the opening ceremonies of the Vancouver Winter Olympics.  “We have funding from the Eric Baker Family Foundation to thank for our ability to bring Shane here to Morrisburg,” Whitworth said. 

Singer/songwriters Ian Sherwood and Coco Love Alcorn are bringing their exciting show to the Stage in October. “They play multiple instruments, including horns,” said Carriere. “They have a great, great sound!” 

Artist Garnet Rogers will light up the stage in November. Rogers is regarded as one of the major folk talents of our time. He will be joined later in November by the big blues sound of the 24th Street Wailers, an explosive force on the North American festival scene, and recently featured, August 2, in the Ottawa Citizen’s Arts & Life section. In January look for the outstanding fingerstyle guitarist, Antoine Dufour, the Juno Award winning banjo playing of Old Man Luedecke in February and Chic Gamine out of Manitoba in March. With their Motown sound, and incredible four part harmonies, Chic Gamine was among the closing acts of the Vancouver Olympics. In April the band, Digging Roots, will bring the joyful energy of their hip hop, folk, reggae and blues sound to the Stage.

In keeping with their philosophy of giving up-and-coming artists a professional venue in which to perform, the St. Lawrence Stage will also present two Intimate Acoustics concerts in December and May, featuring future stars. 

As they continue to bring extraordinary music and talent to South Dundas, the board is going through a bit of a re-orientation itself. Whitworth, Hunter, Carriere and Tony McCadden have been in conference with Peter MacDonald, manager of Chamberfest in Ottawa, “who worked with us on thinking through issues and ideas to ensure that we continue to exist and to grow. Even though we remain made up of volunteers, we are putting together a more professional approach to the Stage. We hope to attract more people to the board who may have different kinds of expertise.”

Currently, the sale of season’s passes for the St. Lawrence Acoustic Stage’s 2013-14 season has been extended to August 17. Check at www.st-lawrencestage.com to learn of exciting ticket options, and to book concert passes. 

It will be a great series.

[…]

Stepping through the gates at Upper Canada Village is like going back in time. Your senses are met with the sights, sounds and smells of 19th century early Canada.  

This weekend you can step even further back in time – to the Medieval period – as Upper Canada Village hosts its 8th Medieval Festival on June 7-8 and its Medieval Education Day Monday, June 9 with activities for students.  

The Medieval Festival is an entertaining mix of colourful medieval re-enactors, entertainers and skilled performers.  

A festival highlight is the jousting tournament featuring the Knights of Valour led by head knight Shane Adams who was recently in the History Channel’s Full Metal Jousting Show.  

The Knights and their mighty horses perform twice daily at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. and their magnificent horses are available between shows to speak to the public about the history and chivalry of Knights.

“The Medieval Festival offers a great blend of history and entertainment,” says Geoff Wacik, Manager, Upper Canada Village. “The Knights of Valour and their jousting is really quite amazing.  You literally feel like you are in the medieval era when you see them in armour and on horseback.  Plus all of the other performers offer such a variety of things to see and do.”

“It is a great weekend, and I guarantee you will learn something while you are entertained” 

The festival offers continuous entertainment throughout the weekend with lively medieval performers presenting a variety of interactive shows each day. 

Comedians, dancers, talented buskers, a wizard, wandering minstrels and even a life-size dragon will create music and laughter, adding to the faire atmosphere. 

Warrior and domestic encampments, archery demonstrations, armoured and unarmoured combat performances, plus life-sized weapons of war demonstrations are sure to keep the excitement level and entertainment value high. 

Falconry shows will be offered at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. daily, and you can witness the fine craftsmanship of Medieval artisans and watch demonstrations in blacksmithing, armour manufacturing, leather working, chain mail making, period fashions and jewelry making  all part of the festival’s activities.  

Throughout the day, children of all ages can try their hand at one of several games throughout the festival including Jacob’s Ladder, miniature ballista and catapult games, Frog Race, and more. 

The Royal Court, including the King and Queen and their entourage, will be in attendance at a number of events throughout the festival.  

Each day the King and Queen will open the festival (9:30 a.m.) with the Royal Greeting at the entrance to the festival fairgrounds located at the back of the Village just past Louck’s Farm.

A medieval festival wouldn’t be complete without merchants and food and a number of merchants will set up their tents at the festival, offering a wide selection of Medieval merchandise and food items. 

Be sure to stop in at the Medieval Chip Shoppe or watch for the Pickle man for a snack.

While all visitors are welcome to attend the Medieval Festival on Education Day, Monday, June 9, large crowds of school children are expected.  

All performances at the festival plus your visit to Upper Canada Village are included in the price of admission:  $20 Adult (13 – 64 yrs); $17 Senior (65 yrs+); $14 Youth (6-12 yrs). 

[…]

by Janice Banford

I’ve worked at WDMH for 37 years and every day is different. That’s what I love about my job. 

As the Infection Control Coordinator for the past eight years, my responsibilities are very varied as I work with health care professionals and patients to ensure that everyone is aware of important infection control practices and guidelines that keep us all safe. My work includes promotion, policy development, data collection and education. We want to ensure that all patient care activities put safety first. 

This fall, our focus is on preventing the spread of illness through good hand hygiene. Washing your hands is the single most effective way to prevent the spread of infection and everyone has a role to play.  

At WDMH, we want to get people talking and reminding each other about the importance of washing their hands. In fact, staff, physicians and volunteers are wearing bright blue “Ask Me If I Washed My Hand” buttons as a great reminder. Don’t be shy – speak up!

We are also encouraging everyone to get a flu shot. It’s the best way to stay healthy – for you, your family and those who might be at greater risk around you. You can’t get the flu (or any other illness) from the flu shot and the benefits far outweigh a sore arm for a couple of days.

I love what I do and could not do it without the outstanding support of my colleagues.   Their commitment to patient safety is invaluable to the success of the program. 

Everyone at WDMH – including our patients – has a role and responsibility in Infection Prevention and Control. 

[…]