SATURDAY MORNING AT THE FARMERS MARKET

“To market, to market, to buy a fat pig…”

To tell the truth, I have never seen a pig at the Stratford Farmers Market,  but there is a vast array of goods to tantalize the palette.

As you arrive a visual bouquet of colour assails the eye.

Flowers ready for 

hanging or planting,

or fresh cut flowers to adorn your table.

Bright, cheery canopies shade 

fresh fruits and vegetables 

of all kinds and colours.

If you grow hungry, 

the Agricultural Society 

provides delicious 

bacon on a bun,

And to top it off there are fresh apple fritters or a fried Mars Bar!                                                        

A gathering place of citizens;

A chance to fill the larder with fresh food;

Saturday mornings, the Stratford Market is the place to be!

…and we haven’t even entered the building yet! That is for another entry. Keep posted.

CARING FOR OUR OWN

On Saturday, May 25, 2013, a crowd gathered at 101 Brunswick Street to mark the opening of PAL Place Stratford.

According to their website, Performing Arts Lodge is a volunteer-based Canadian charitable organization dedicated to the provision of affordable housing, social assistance and other services to local members and associates of Canada’s professional and performing arts community who are in need of assistance by reason of low income, age or disability. It provides a sanctuary, a home, and a community for professionals of the theatre who find themselves in times of need during and at the end of their careers, times that can be uncertain and insecure. “PAL is a proven success story in several other locales nationwide. We heartily endorse and look forward to the same success story becoming reality here in Stratford.”

During the opening ceremonies one of the speakers read a note written by the beloved Canadian actor, Cedric Smith. He wrote of visiting an old friend from his days on stage who was living in a nursing home. Cedric was able to understand and communicate with this aging actor in a language that they both understood – the language of the theatre – which the caregivers at the home did not comprehend. How wonderful that the citizens of Stratford have had the foresight to want to “care for our own”, those members of the theatre who have contributed to the life of Stratford in so many ways. PAL will provide care not only in practical terms but also by creating an environment where they can continue to enjoy the ambiance and language of theatre.

Christopher Plummer,  honorary patron of PAL Stratford, made the trip to town in order to cut the ribbon during the official opening 

Glen Dias, who already lives at the lodge, sang a moving a cappella rendition of 'Bring Him Home' from Les Miserables.   How appropriate!

PAL Stratford was established as a non-profit organization in 2002 and in 2005 was registered as a Charitable Organization (86363 2881 RR0001). We are still looking to pay off $400,000 on the mortgage. If you wish to contribute to this wonderful addition to Stratford, please check out the website at http://palstratford.org

SPRING IS IN THE WORKS...that is...SPRINGWORKS!

On Thursday evening I had the privilege of attending the opening night of the third annual SpringWorks Indie Theatre and Arts Festival which runs in Stratford from May 9 – 19, 2013.

SpringWorks is a juried multi-disciplinary arts festival providing high-quality programs in a friendly welcoming atmosphere. There will be cabarets, dance, comedy, dinner theatre, shows for the younger set, visual arts, coffee houses, poetry and dramatic readings of several new plays. More than 100 artists will be featured in over 50 events in a variety of venues in Stratford, St. Mary's and Listowel. Companies come to take part in this festival from as far away as Kingston, and even from Nova Scotia!

If last night's presentation of Three Little Maids, Musical Revue, featuring Stratford resident Barbara Dunn-Prosser and her equally talented friends Debora Joy, and Janet Martin is any indication, we are in for a fabulous two weeks of entertainment. These singers, all very busy with careers as performers and vocal teachers, came together in a hilarious jaunt through the intertwining lives of three good friends. Starting off as carefree children, they then took us into the melodramatic period of adolescence with a vocal swing through the 70's. A visit to the Kiwanis Music Festival competitions had us almost rolling in the aisles as we savoured memories of our own efforts to please the almighty adjudicator! We cruised along with the maids through snippets of many Broadway hits as they became young women and pondered the theme of love and the stress of auditions. Adding their own lyrics to familiar Gilbert and Sullivan tunes provided quite the spoof on their early career days touring with the Stratford Theatre. Growing up they all found love, a time of life that was beautifully expressed with an intertwining of three separate love songs. Along with love came children, who grew into teenagers, once again bringing the house down with new lyrics to a well-known medley from musical theatre. Eventually they took us into the 21^st century with cell phones and emails, and life that was just too, too busy to keep contact. That is - unless  they got together to write a show! Three Little Maids is definitely worth the $20 for admission when it plays again at City Hall on Sunday May 19 at 8 p.m.

After the concert I spoke with artistic producer Eileen Smith, who birthed the idea of such a festival in 2011. I was surprised to learn that the artists do not receive a set fee. Because this is a designated “festival”, they come and perform for love of their craft and are rewarded with 70% of the ticket sales, however high or low that may be. The festival itself runs on 30% of the take plus whatever they have been are able to garner from the generous sponsors who have stepped up to the plate.

The city hall auditorium was not full last night. As the festival progresses I hope that Stratfordites and tourists alike will realize what a gem we have here. I trust that you will make an effort to support these artists and take in the wealth of culture that is made available to us through SpringWorks!

For tickets contact www.springworksfestival.ca or 1-888-559-5077.

ARE THEY JUMPING?

Every April the Avon River is stocked with trout for the annual      
Optimist Trout Derby. 

This year it was held on April 27 from 8:00 am to noon. 

  It is geared for children, 
but there were lots of families there to add to the fun.

And this year the weather co-operated. A beautiful sunny day! The fish were biting well. What more could you ask?

This is just another sign that Spring really IS coming to Stratford!

ODE TO A STRATFORD SPRING

Back in March, a tiny bloom

Spring would surely be here soon

Then cold winds began to blow    
Bringing lots more piles of snow 

                                   

Patters on my window panes

April brought the warming rains

Bulbs pushed up their growing stalks

And citizens went out for walks

Spring at last? Oh no, not so!
Freezing rain and pelting snow.

                        

The daffodils have braved the cold
Spring is here…


         or so I’m told!

GREEN SWANS??

We all know that Stratford is famous for her swans. Ever since the first pair was donated to the city in 1918, we have had a bit of a love affair with these majestic birds.  People “flock” to Stratford for our theatre, but our park system runs a close second as a reason why this is such a popular destination.

On the first Sunday in April, we celebrate the annual release of the swans. Accompanied by pipe band in full regalia, the swans herald the arrival of Spring by parading down Howie Morenz Drive from their winter quarters to their beloved Avon River. Thousands of bystanders come to watch and to enjoy a walk around the river, or as was the case because of the cold wind today, a quick jaunt uptown to get warmed up in one of our cozy restaurants.

But what about the GREEN swans?

As I have mentioned in other entries, Stratford loves to celebrate life. What better way than to encourage the local shop owners to enter a swan decorating contest. As you can see from the photos, a lot of creative talent went into the creation of these masterpieces.

 From tea parties to promos for the fundraising efforts for a new Spash Pad for our younger citizens, the downtown merchants worked to add to the festive nature of the weekend. 

           

Thanks for the fun, Stratford!

EASTER SURPRISES

10,000 eggs! That’s what the Easter Bunny brought with him 

to Upper Queen’s Park 

on Easter Saturday morning. 

Apparently he stopped into Rheo Thompson Candies to pick up the treats and also enticed  some of the folk from our local radio station to bring coffee and donuts along with their music.

Such was the setting for the annual Easter Egg hunt in Stratford. I couldn’t find out how long it has been running, but I remember taking my boys about 30 years ago. Stratford is definitely a place for happy traditions! 

It was fun to see the wide range of Easter baskets and headpieces that added to the festive nature of the event.

With the sun brightly shining, the crowd lingered on long after most of the eggs had been found 

to enjoy a welcome taste of Spring in the park.

Thank you Rheo’s, CJCS and 107.7. We love what you do to make this weekend special for our young citizens.