You are here: Home / Archives for nancy

TWAS – Guelph Little Theatre

by Leave a Comment

TWAS is a holiday tale currently playing at the Guelph Little Theatre. We all enjoyed watching this cast of 23 actors fabricate the narrative of their version of Santa Claus.  This story is sure to become a yearly Christmas play for years to come.

The Directors of this production are Guelph Little Theatres Shona Sneddon along with mentor Pamela Niesiobedzki-Curtis. The playbill mentioned, “Alot of sharing and learning has happened through this mentoring process of this production,” presented by Eric Woolfe.

The sets were whimsical and had a lot of quick changes, such as the North Pole, Ice Queen and an orphanage in this 2 Act play.

Walking into the lobby during the intermission there were many patrons wearing their ugly Christmas sweaters, as it was ugly sweater night. Drinks, and snacks are available preshow, intermission and post show.  They also had a 50-50 draw which is always fun.

The story unfolds as two orphans went into different directions; Lucy was adopted by a toy maker while Nick turned to a life of crime. The narrator helped move the story along and we were later introduced to a much older Lucy and Nick.

They two reunited and brought back together when Lucy catches Nick stealing valuables from her father toy workshop.

There were many interesting fantasy characters which added to the fairy-tale production, there well thought out costumes really added value to the characters, such as the conjoined twin trolls and the dancing trees.

Act two brings more developments and we see the characters changing their ways in unexpected directions.

This is a great play to attend with the whole family to help get into the Christmas spirit. We could only imagine all of the hard work and endless hours of practice to perfect this professional performance of TWAS.

For more information about the Guelph Little Theatre and to book tickets contact, the Guelph Little Theatre at 519-821-0270 or check out the website at www.guelphlittletheatre.com.

 

Talk soon ~

 

 

Nancy

 

The Polar Express Train Ride

by Leave a Comment

 

The Waterloo Central Railway Village Station in St. Jacobs hosts some wonderful Holiday rides.  Walking towards the venue, you could see the glowing lights from the Christmas decor. 

Bells could be heard jingling in the darkness of the evening sky. One of the smiling attendees from the previous Polar Express train ride said, “Enjoy your time, you will love it, it was so amazing!” 

Entering the warmth of the building, there were Children dressed in pajamas clutching hands with their parents some were browsing the Polar express memorabilia and perhaps wondering what the night would entail.

The lights dimmed, smoke began to fill the room and our evening at the Polar Express began as actors began to tell the story of the popular Christmas book written by Chris Van Allsburg.

Entering train C, there were festive Christmas lights decorating the interior of the 1950’s old style train.  We were met with the actors in costume greeting us all with smiles as we found our seating arrangements. 

The conductor said, “All Aboard, we are embarking on a trip to the North Pole, please have your tickets ready!”

Rolling out of the station we all knew we were in for a special evening as the conductor began to inspect the golden tickets, walking up and down the aisle performing his golden ticket duties.

Attendees can enjoy a 1 hour train ride to the North Pole in the comfort of cozy seating while The Polar Express is read, hot chocolate and treats are served, carols are sang and everyone receives a gift and visit from SANTA. 

The acting was really well done along with all of the details taken in to account to make the ride so memorable for Children of all of all ages. 

Tickets are limited so be sure to check out the website and pre book your ride, Waterloo Central Railway, https://waterloocentralrailway.com/the-polar-express-train-ride/.

One of the last impressions I heard on the loudspeaker was, “What matter’s most is not where you are going, but that you got on!” 

This annual family fun Polar Express train ride along with the Santa train ride experience takes place from Mid November only until Mid December, so get ready to make one of the most memorable experience’s your family will have this holiday season.

 

Talk soon,

 

Nancy

 

Is the Wellington County Museum Haunted?

by Leave a Comment

It is the eve of Halloween evening.  I sit here and reflect of all things that are spooky and go bump in the night as this time of year with all of the ghosts and goblins blowing in the wind.

My mind is wondering if there are really ghosts?  I think there is, and have encountered those shadow figures in my past walks in different locations.  If you have seen them, you too may know what I mean.

I have always believed the stories about the Wellington County Museum and Archives being haunted.  

This memory has been with me from a young age driving along the highway between Elora and Fergus and people saying, “that building is haunted you know!”

 

The building which is now the Wellington County Museum has not always been a museum.  It was a House of Industry and Refuge for persons who didn’t have anywhere else to go and had little monies or may have been abandoned.  

The grounds of the museum are home to a cemetery of many of the past people who lived there at one time.  It was referred to as the, “Poor House” of industry and refuge.

If you have never visited before I highly recommend you check out the display of the many photos, and stories on a permanent display.  They pay tribute to the many who did not have a place to live who may have been abandoned due to not having any other place to go, often the poor and neediest of the population.

The Museum often has ghost walks, tours and even had the Wellington County Paranormal Society.  Yes we have a group in Wellington County who investigate paranormal activity.   

They say yes it is true there is indeed some activity which has taken place at this and other locations in Wellington County.  Check out their link for information about their visit, https://wcpi.ca/

Talk soon ~

 

Happy Halloween, Nancy 

 

 

Grateful

by Leave a Comment

“Gratitude turns what we have into enough.” – Anonymous

I have read a lot of grateful posts on social media today. This has got me thinking of the many times in my life when I may not have felt so grateful or when the “why me, or why not me” get in my way of being a productive member of society.

What has helped me more times than I remember is to slow down and just focus on all of the many wonderful things in my life. Some call this, an “Attitude of Gratitude“.

I went for a walk at lunch around one of my favorite parks in Guelph, Riverside Park. I was just in awe at all of the beautiful colours I saw with the changing of seasons.

The reds, golds with the sun shining on the river and the leaves wrestling in the wind. I was reminded once again of the most simplest things I take for granted one of them being my senses.  I was thankful I was healthy enough to walk around the park, with all of the sights and sounds of Mother Nature.

I am not a huge fan of Fall but I was sure very appreciative of all of the Fall colours and the warmth of the sunny skies today. 

I hope you will have some moments of gratefulness, and peaceful times this Thanksgiving Long weekend.

 

Talk soon ~

 

Nancy

 

 

5 Things to Do in Wellington County This Weekend

by Leave a Comment

Happy October….Lots of Events are going on in Wellington County this weekend!

Elora Fergus Studio Tour:  (Saturday, and Sunday Oct. 5, & 6th) Check out the 2nd weekend of this studio tour in Centre Wellington, https://elorafergusstudiotour.com/

Horse and Hound Parade, ELORA:  (Sunday Oct. 6th) http://grandandgorgeous.com/elora-horse-and-hound/

13 THE MUSICAL playing at the Guelph Little Theatre, Guelph https://guelph.snapd.com/events/view/1269433

The Elora Farmers Market: (Saturday Mornings) https://elorafarmersmarket.ca/

Tour De Elora: (Saturday Oct. 5th) http://www.grhf.org/event/tour-de-elora/

Talk soon,

Nancy

13 THE MUSICAL Now Playing at the Guelph Little Theatre

by Leave a Comment

 

It is Friday night in the Royal City, what better way to spend an evening than to take in a live performance and watch 13 THE MUSICAL at the Guelph Little Theatre.

My date for the evening was my 13-year-old daughter and her 2 giggling teeny bobber friends.  This is the first play of the Guelph Little Theatre 2019-2020 season and the musical runs until October 6th. 

The 3 gigglers beside me who are currently seniors in their secondary school all said how much the loved the performance. When asked if they could relate with the characters they all smiled and said, “Oh for sure, it so true to life!”  

Jen and Paul Barson the producers of the show commented, “When 13 The Musical was originally produced on Broadway, the musicians were teens as well as actors.  We wanted to take that to the next level for our production here at GLT and we staffed almost all the backstage roles with youth volunteers as well.”  The director, Thea Lale a young women said in the playbill that she had never written a Director’s note before. 

We watched the coming of age story play out as 13-year-old lead actor Evan Goldman moves from New York City to small town Appleton, Indiana.  He is coming to terms with his newly divorced parents, while trying to fit in with the “cool kids’ at his new school.  He hopes they will all attend his bar mitzvah, when giving out the invites describing it as a fun party to his newly non-Jewish classmates.

Looking around the audience which was all ages I could not help but think they too were reliving their school days as well.  Some memories good and some not so good.

The 5 piece live band was great and was a great addition to the rock score of the coming of age musical.  The music was incredible and like any music does it helped bring the character alive.  The many solos in the play and the singing was hard to belief for such young performers. 

We watched as Evan navigated many emotions being the new kid in school attempting to fit in with the jocks, pretty girls, cheerleaders, cool guys, and the outcasts.  

The set was simple but very well done.  You could visualize many of the different scenes.  I especially liked the simple painted boxes used throughout the play which did not feel repetitive at all.

There was a lot of interest in the initial try outs for the casting call of this play.  There were 80 people who auditioned for the 13 acting roles. All of the actors are in the up and coming stages and all exhibited a high level of professionalism. 

The ending of this 2 act play brought the packed house to a standing ovation with lots of applause for the amazing talented group of young men and women who told the story so wonderfully. 

This play is just one of many you can attend for the new season of the Guelph Little Theatre.  Check out the link to purchase tickets, https://guelphlittletheatre.com/big-shows/tickets/.  Thanks GLT for a great evening.  We look forward to the next show!

 

Talk soon,

 

Nancy

5 Things to do in Wellington County

by Leave a Comment

WHAT GOING ON IN WELLINGTON COUNTY THIS WEEKEND?

 

 

 

 

 

New Elora Luxury B&B Accomodations Inner Joy Getaways

by Leave a Comment

An Elora couple has found a unique way to re-use shipping containers.

Will and Laura Feenstra are the owners of Inner Joy Getaways, just outside of Elora, where they have turned former shipping containers into luxurious suites.

Inner Joy Getaways 7.44 acres of land along four suites looking out onto the Grand River. Along the side of the property is Swan Creek which is a premium fly fishing spot on the Grand River.

“The property has acres upon acres of protected GRCA land and beside us is a small protected bush area.  You can tube right from the Elora gorge all the way to the property. The Wilson flats are just minutes down the road from us along with various other hiking paths,” said Laura.

She said they had been watching the property on the market for 1.5 years prior and they thought they would look at it just for fun. 

(This article was originally Published at Village Media, Guelph Today, see link below)

To read more, check out the link on Guelph Today, https://www.guelphtoday.com/local-news/elora-business-turns-shipping-containers-into-luxurious-accommodations-1671276

Talk soon ~

Nancy

5 Tips for Your Toronto CN TOWER VISIT

by Leave a Comment

 

  • Make sure you charge your phone, and check that it is working well before your visit.  You can capture the most amazing photos of the City, or take a selfie with the Toronto skyline.   Take tons of photos if you can, (my phone which was having technical issues at the time, sighh).  
  • Take a backpack with some water and snacks.  Or if you are like me and didn’t bring any snacks and beverages with you, check out the new Bistro with food and drinks.  We had a chance to sit down at the new bistro and watch the world go around, it was fun.  Last time we were there, we dined (burgers) at the 360 restaurant experience, it was great and not too expensive.
  • Buy an Express Pass for the Elevator – It will cost you $7.00 per person, but it was well worth it.  Our wait times went from 1.5hr to 30 minutes.  I really liked this option, we thought it was great value.
  • Go as early as you can, (they suggest before noon is the less busiest time of the day).  
  • Have FUN, walk across the glass bottom floor if you dare! My kids ran across, I was a little nervous and did not.  Walk all around the observation decks, both indoors and outdoors.  Wear comfortable shoes!

 

Here is the link to purchase tickets and to check out more information about the CN TOWER, https://www.cntower.ca/en-ca/plan-your-visit/tickets.html  Maybe take the new Edgewalk?

 

Talk soon ~

 

Nancy

 cn6toronto

cn1CN

The Drayton Entertainment Disney Beauty and the Beast

by Leave a Comment


Photo By: Hilary Gauld Camilleri

The Drayton Festival Theatre, a renovated 1902 Opera House was at full capacity last evening for the opening night of the Disney classic, Beauty and the Beast.  Entering the former Town Hall and Opera House the building was lit up ready for its audience to watch “A tale as old as time”.

The Drayton spin on the old tale was magnificent.  The audience was captivated from the very beginning until its final bows.  Entering into the old building it was bustling with preshow activity, 50/50 draw tickets, people purchasing admission at the box office, as well as patrons having a few beverages before the show.

Hearing the bell we knew it was time to quickly find our seats.  The theatre is very accessible with one of our attendees who required the elevator to bring us to the balcony seating.  As always we found the staff to be so welcoming and helpful during our evening.

The show began with the iconic voice of Lloyd Robertson narrating the opening act where we met the handsome looking fellow who played the beast by actor Tony Edgerton.  Within minutes the Prince is transformed into a hideous beast after a spell is cast on him. 

The tale begins when we are introduced to Belle, played by Jessica Gallant who discovers her father is missing so she sets out on a search to find him.  

Later at the castle we find the beast staring at the enchanted rose wondering how he will ever return to normal.  Meanwhile in the basement of the castle Belle’s father is trapped in a cage.

The set was ever-changing with quick scene changes that brought the tale to life.  The set designer Christine Peters, definitely utilized the magic of Disney in all her designs.   The costumes were colorful and added to the fairy-tale appeal, including the debut of Chip, who played the cup of tea. 

The first set was a full of musical acts and we enjoyed the antics of Belle’s hometown.  There were the Village silly girls, Gaston, Lefou and lots of singing and dancing of course.

We watched Gaston’s flex his muscles throughout the show all the while trying to win the beauty’s heart to no avail. 

beautybeast3

Photo by: Hilary Gauld Camilleri

Belle gave up her freedom for her father, we knew little about the journey it would take her on.  The musical stirred all the senses and emotions like any good fairy-tale does.  Like all good ending we hoped that love would be found.

The Drayton musical adaptation of the Disney’s Beauty and the Beast is wonderful for all audiences, including both younger and older.  We were transformed into a magical fairy-tale world for 2.5 hours.  The cast, crew and director Jayme Armstrong certainly deserved the standing ovation. 

Go see this creative performance playing until August 31st at the Drayton Festival Theatre. You can purchase tickets here at 1-855-DRAYTON or check out the website to purchase tickets, https://www.draytonentertainment.com/Online/default.asp.

You will have to come and see for yourself if love will safe the day!

 

Talk soon,

 

 

Nancy