Byvelds unmoved

 

Chopper Thom, an eight-year-old Golden Retriever, who shares his home with Jimmy and Christine Thom and family, is making his hometown acting debut in Wife Begins At Forty opening August 6 at Upper Canada Playhouse.

On July 27, despite a busy rehearsal schedule, the star was graciously able to spare The Leader a few moments for an interview.

Chopper, with your debut at UCP in Wife Begins At Forty, you are following in the paw prints of such stars of stage and screen as Rin Tin Tin, Sandy, Nana and Asta. What drew you to acting?

All those dogs you mention had personal trainers and dog doubles. I prefer method acting. I do all stunts and scenes on my own. Early on in life, I recall watching Katts & Dog and the Littlest Hobo. I think that’s when I got the acting ‘bite.’

This is your first major role, starring as Chopper, the Harper family’s dog. What unique qualities do you feel you are bringing to this play?

Actually, this is NOT my first role. For the past seven years, I’ve been working as a greeter at Atel Air. As for the rest, I can pant, drool and wag my tail on cue. I am also very good at improvisation. I am, in fact, a dog: that is my unique quality.

How have rehearsals been going? Any special challenges?

Boring! The actors are mediocre, if not mundane. And the director’s a drip.

Fellow cast member Walter Learning, at an earlier press conference, described you as a… “joy. He loves everyone.” How do you react to this praise?

I wouldn’t believe anything Walter Learning says. Seriously, have you ever talked to the man?

How would you generally characterize your relationship with the other members of the cast? The crew?

I’ve only recently met the cast, but I’ve already become quite sociable with some of them. (pause) Actually, I ignore the cast! I prefer the company of the crew, especially the three lovely stage management females. Nice legs. I’m working on dinner and a date in Cornwall.

You’ve been working closely with director Richard Bauer. How have you helped him with staging and character motivation in your scenes?

In terms of motivation, well, it all comes down to treats. I’m a very active dog and I like to try new things at rehearsal. Because of that they’ve put me on a short leash. As I mentioned before, Richard is fairly clueless. I generally create my own blocking and motivation. In the end, I make him look good.

You’ll be making your acting debut in front of a home town crowd. Does this worry you at all?

No! As long as the check clears, I’m happy. Seriously though, as you probably know the people of South Dundas are the best audience anyone could play for. It will be a pleasure to tread the boards in front of them. And just to let local folks know, I’ll be signing autographs at the Dog Park at a yet to be confirmed date.

What lies ahead for you, Chopper, once you have this play under your collar?

I’m very excited. Once the show closes, my owner says he’s going to get me tutored. (He says it may calm me down). I also plan to take voice lessons. I hear they are making Lassie! The Musical!

Any final observations about life on the stage and/or the big screen, Chopper?

Alfred Hitchcock once said something like ‘Golden Retrievers are all heart and no brain’. 

If that’s the case, how come I have a group of people who feed me, bring me water and walk me? I also have my own driver and trainer. So who’s the fool?

 

(Many thanks to Playhouse artistic director Donnie Bowes and Wife Begins At Forty director Richard Bauer for assisting Chopper with this interview.)

[…]

Even though it’s the middle of winter, the Morrisburg Canada Day committee is already preparing for the July 1, event.

Linda and Keith Robinson, two member of the 15 member committee that organized last year’s event, know already that they need more help for the 2014 event. 

“We’re not looking for money, we’re looking for people,” said Keith.

The committee has lost some of its members and hopes that some new people with new ideas and suggestions will come forward to fill that void.

The fireworks, rides and petting zoo are booked for Canada Day 2015, in Morrisburg. A teen area is being organized with volleyball, badminton and other fun activities for that age group.

The market area that has been popular for the last couple of years will not take place this year.

The Robinsons hope that with some new committee members will come new ideas and new events as they are looking forward to building up the event towards 2017, which will be Canada’s 150th birthday.

Other than providing input, the Robinsons say that a volunteer can expect to attend a handful of meetings over the coming months. “Most of the work takes place in June,” said Keith, and then of course the day of July 1. 

The committee has an established executive, so those who join will be able to focus on the ideas brought forward and their individual areas of expertise.

Anyone interested in getting involved can contact Keith Robinson, or is welcome to just show up to the committee’s next meeting which takes place February 17, 7 p.m., at the Riverside hall in Riverside Heights.

[…]

United Church congregations are being invited to ring their church bells 90 times at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, June 10, 2015, to mark the 90th anniversary of the United Church of Canada.

“Whether you are the only United Church in town with a lone church bell ringing, or in a community where it is possible for many church bells to ring in unison, may we all make a joyful noise to the Lord on June 10th,” says Moderator, the Right Rev. Gary Paterson.

The United Church of Canada came into being Wednesday, June 10, 1925. The inaugural service began at 10:30 a.m. That is why 10:30 a.m. was chosen as the time, in every time zone, for United Churches to celebrate their presence in the community.

“We will be ringing our bell on this special day,” says local Rev. Janet Evans. “Come to Lakeshore Drive United Church on June 10th and join us as we celebrate our heritage, our present, our future. We will worship our Lord and honour our God and all of His Creation.

The church bell at Lakeshore Drive United Church was purchased and installed in 1910. The inscription reads: Let him that heareth come.

Says Evans, “Come and profess faith in the God who always walks with us. Men, women and children of every denomination can rejoice and remember that God is our guide, our support, our strength, our song. Hallelujah!” 

[…]