An Enemy of the People
For Friends in the Town
By Alison Bell
Many people in Waterford and region have been waiting anxiously for a local group to do theatre on the Town Hall stage. Visiting groups have put on great shows here, but it was time for a truly Waterford-based troupe to take on a play. And take on a play they did! The newly formed Old Town Hall Players chose Henrik Ibsen's An Enemy of the People as their debut production. The play is hardly the kind of fare that one expects from a small-town theatrical troupe but it was heartily welcomed by the audience. Many were heard to say how much they appreciated seeing something that was decidedly not "fluff".(Article continues below photo.)
An Enemy of the People, first performed in 1882 and adapted by Arthur Miller in 1950, concerns a Doctor in a town which has just developed its tourist industry based on public medicinal baths. The Doctor discovers that the waters are contaminated by the operation of a tannery upstream. Naively, he believes that he will be hailed as a hero for his discovery but he encounters the fate of many whistleblowers, meeting with resistance and final rejection even by those he had counted as friends. As the play's program tells us: "Today, the tale resonates with comparisons to the tobacco industry, coal-fired electricity generation, the Walkerton affair, factory farms, nuclear contamination, greenhouse gases, and a host of other environmental issues." It also explores the nature of local politics and the devastating tragedy of a good man brought down by irrational forces.
Directed by Rodger Brunning and produced by Jim Elve, the play's remarkable cast consisted of Stephen Hogg in the huge leading role. Greg Canivet’s portrayal of the villainous Mayor was equally impressive. Supporting roles were skilfully performed by Rodger Brunning, Irene Ramey, Larry Brunning, Steve Kilbridge, Karen Baetz, Millie Baetz, Kevin Miller, Jeff Hudson, Hugh Sutherland, Keith Koopman and Jim Elve. Kathryn Hogg was the Lighting and Sound Technician and Doug Moverley provided the set decoration.
There is a lot of theatre in this area and each group plays to its own strengths. In Port Dover, the Lighthouse provides perfect entertainment for vacationers. In Simcoe, the Little Theatre does many musicals. Waterford's Lantern Tours and Cemetery plays concentrate on local history. It would be great to see the Old Town Hall Players establish The Old Town Hall as a centre for more substantial theatre in the area. Kudos to the Old Town Hall Players - and encore, please!
OTHA Honoured With Ontario Trillium Foundation 25th Anniversary Great Grants Award
Waterford, November 2, 2007 – The Old Town Hall Association was honoured for the impact it has made in its community at the Ontario Trillium Foundation's (OTF) 25th Anniversary Great Grants Awards on November 1, 2007. Held at the MaRS Centre in Toronto, the evening highlighted the achievements of 25 not-for-profit organizations from the more than ten thousand groups that received OTF funding over the past 25 years. These organizations have exemplified excellence, innovation and leadership in their community and volunteer work.
“2007 marks the 25th anniversary of grantmaking for OTF and we are delighted to acknowledge the Old Town Hall Association’s contribution to improving the quality of life in its community,” said Helen Burstyn, Chair, OTF Board of Directors. (article continues below photo)
Facility Manager Barbara Tanner-Billings, OTHA President Brian Holden and Vice President Richard Lefler accept the 25th Anniversary Award from (far left) OTF Vice-Chair Hugh O’Neil and Ontario Minister of Culture Aileen Carroll and (far right) OTF Chair Helen Burstyn and OTF CEO L. Robin Cardozo.In 1999, the Old Town Hall Association was created with a mission to restore the building. In 2000, OTF provided a grant of $20,000 to help with preliminary architectural studies and again in 2003 with an additional $75,000 to assist with restoration. Together with fundraising revenue secured by the local community and the Old Town Hall Association, the grant improved safety and accessibility to the building, specifically the upper auditorium and stage.
Significant work was accomplished with community help. Hundreds of volunteers assisted by raising funds and assisting with the renovations. Volunteers in the community continue to maintain the building and surrounding area.
“We are extremely honoured that the Ontario Trillium Foundation selected the Old Town Hall to receive this special award on its silver anniversary,” said Facility Manager Barbara Tanner-Billings. “OTF funding helped support the restoration and renovation of our Hall, and allowed us to make the building completely accessible for all our patrons. We salute the Foundation on 25 years of strengthening Ontario's communities and wish them continued success.”
Over 25 years, there are few not-for-profit organizations in the province that OTF has not touched and few communities where its support has not made a difference.
The Government of Ontario had the vision to create OTF 25 years ago; to support the Foundation’s growth over time; and to recognize its importance recently with an additional $20 million in annual funding that will enable the Foundation to do even more when it comes to building healthy and vibrant communities.
(The above article and photo were provided by the Ontario Trillium Foundation.)
Fundraising/Recognition Dinner Dance
A Fundraising/Recognition Dinner in honour of some of our major community contributors including the Waterford Lions Club, Waterford Community Foundation, Ontario Trillium Foundation and Hazel Race was held at the Old Town Hall on Saturday, May 12th. Starting at 6pm, 72 diners were treated to hors d’oeuvres by the Belworth House and wine by Colio Estate Winery. Hors d’oeuvres and wine were served in the main foyer giving guests an opportunity to socialize and view the art gallery. The main courses were catered by Gram’s Café and served in the upper hall.
Facility Manager Barbara Tanner-Billings gave a presentation about the Hall and its recent past. OTHA President Brian Holden spoke giving recognition to some significant donors. Guests of Honour were John and Hazel Race. A major donation from the Hazel Race Foundation, received earlier this year, has made it possible for OTHA to commence on the elevator construction. Donors were presented with framed certificates of gratitude.
John Race spoke to the group about the history of the Town Hall and the Hellyer family. Mrs. Race is the former Hazel Hellyer. The Hellyer family has a long history of support for the Waterford community. Mr. Race invited the guests to open their pocketbooks for the OTH elevator cause. Over $30,000 was donated as a result.
The dinner was followed by an evening of dancing with music provided by Dave Jensen and the Jammers.
The Cheque's in the Mail
Thanks to the efforts of former OTHA Director Kim Moverley, OTHA was recently awarded a $500 grant from Canada Post. Canada Post employees, like Kim, are given the opportunity to apply for grants to assist their communities. OTHA thanks Canada Post for the grant and Kim Moverley for setting the wheels in motion.