Just in time for Valentine's Day! "A Taste of Chocolate" happens Saturday February 11th in Miramichi.

Hospice Miramichi Presents: “A Taste of Chocolate”
By Cindy Rule

If you love chocolate, laughing, music and helping out in your community, then there’s a good chance that you’ll be heading to the Rodd Miramichi River on Saturday February 11th, 2012 at 7pm.

“A Taste of Chocolate” is returning to the Rodd as a fundraiser for Hospice Miramichi. Below is some information about Hospice Miramichi from their website:

“Hospice Miramichi is a non-profit volunteer organization and was established in March 2011. The focus of hospice care is on comfort not cure, and on life not death. Hospice Miramichi is seeking to raise awareness of the unique needs of those who are living with life threatening illnesses where cure is not an option and medications are no longer controlling the illness. Hospice Miramichi will work within the community by providing services and support for clients and families within their homes. Our volunteers will be trained to provide practical and emotional support during the end stages of life and through the grieving process.

Our plan is to bring hospice to Miramichi in three (3) stages. First, the establishment of a Hospice Outreach Program, where in- home support services will be offered to assist palliative patients and their families live the remainder of their lives to the fullest extent possible. The second stage of our plan will be the addition of a Hospice Day Program. The third stage of our plan is to establish a Residential Hospice (RH) in Miramichi within the next 3-4 years.”

Turning this much needed organization into reality requires community help and “A Taste of Chocolate” is just one of the fundraisers that Hospice Miramichi will be presenting this year. They are hoping the turnout at these events will reflect the huge amount of support the Miramichi community and beyond has already shown Hospice Miramichi.

Along with mountains of delicious chocolate desserts (and non-chocolate treats if chocolate isn’t your thing), you will be treated to an original one act play written by yours truly, Cindy Rule, called “Defining Love.” Lisa Savage, Jason Blanchard and I will entertain you as we take you through the different stages of love; from childhood crushes to finding that special someone, we believe the play is filled with moments everyone can relate to.

The evening will also include music by Connie and Paul as well as an Arm’s Length Auction, Cake Auction and a 50/50 draw.

So, once again, the event details are …

Hospice Miramichi Presents
A Taste of Chocolate
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 7pm at the Rodd Miramichi River.
Featuring the Crule Players in the original one act play
“Defining Love.”
And the music of Connie and Paul
Tickets are $25 and are available at Saltwater Sounds, Bill’s Quik Way and The Books Inn.

For more information about this event please call (506)625-2153. Or email info@HospiceMiramichi.com. For more information about Hospice Miramichi please go to www.hospicemiramichi.com

Thank-you for your support and we hope to see you there!

We have all experienced a low in our lives at one time or other. Some of us bounce back; however there are others who need support and assistance to regain self-esteem and self–confidence. Did you know that one in five people will suffer some type of mental illness in their lifetime? Schizophrenia alone affects more than 40 million worldwide and is known as youth’s greatest disabler.

It is well documented that walking is good for your health. Perhaps, it is not quite as well documented that walking is good for your mental health. This last piece of news is one that may be entirely new to you, but walking is good for other people’s mental health. When you join us for our annual Walk of Hope, you are helping provide education, support and advocacy for people living with chronic mental illness.

May 6, 2012 will be the annual Walk of Hope for the Miramichi Region. The Walk began in 1994 with only a handful of people walking. The Walk of Hope has grown to become a fun day with lots of music, entertainment and snacks. A day to be together with family, see old friends and meet new ones. Lots of food, fun, prizes and great entertainment.

The Walk of Hope is one of the major fundraisers for the Schizophrenia Society, which is a non-profit organization that offers support, education, and advocacy for the family and friends of those affected by a major mental illness.

This year, the Walk will be held May 6, 2012 and will start at 1:00 p.m. from the Miramichi Mall parking lot and go along Pleasant Street, around the Town Square and up the Town Hill to the Knights of Columbus Hall located on 345 Campbell Street where you can enjoy live entertainment, refreshments and great door prizes.

Come join us for a full afternoon of fun. Contact Natalie at (506) 622 1595 or you can email ssnbmiramichi@nb.aibn.com for pledge sheets; get that great team together for the walk, the more the merrier. Remember your walking not only improves you general overall health, your mental health but other people’s mental health. We are looking forward to seeing lots of new faces along with our familiar ones.

This post was submitted by Schizophrenia Society of NB-Miramichi.

Veronica (played by Sarah Manderville) performs a solo of "Silent Night" at the Mountain School Christmas program.

My Mountain School Christmas
by Kellie Underhill

This year my Christmas festivities started early in December when my mother, Pauline, sister, Sherry, and I went to the Kin Centre around the square in Newcastle, Miramichi to attend a special dinner theatre performance.

A local theatre troupe, The Heritage Players, were staging their latest production called “A Mountain School Christmas.” The play was written by my aunt, Valerie Stewart, and it was about celebrating Christmas in 1960 at the one-room schoolhouse in Grey Rapids, NB that my mother and many of her siblings attended when they were children.

We sat at a table with other family members—my aunts, Noreen and Vida; my uncle, Hayward; and my cousin, Lorelei with her husband, Brian. Looking around the room I saw many familiar faces, more aunts and uncles, several cousins and their children, as well as other people from “up home” in the Blackville area.

On a snowy night like that one most people don’t like to drive too far if they don’t have to, but this was a very special occasion. Before the show began when my aunt Valerie, who also directed the production, asked the audience how many of them had attended the Mountain School, hands shot up all over the room. They were part of this history. They had been there, lived it. And I’m sure that’s part of the reason why so many people ventured the 20-30 minute drive into town in less than perfect travel conditions.

Rehearsal for the Christmas program at the Mountain School.

As the performance began and the characters started to be introduced, my mother tried to remember if this or that had ever really happened or speculated who the characters might be based upon in real life. She remarked about different aspects of the set that she recalled had been in the original schoolroom. For her this seemed to add an extra level of enjoyment; she noticed little details that the average viewer would probably overlook and they filled her with a happy nostalgia.

But you didn’t need to go to the Mountain School, or indeed any of the other one-room schoolhouses that used to dot our little province, in order to enjoy the play. I laughed so hard at times that tears rolled down my cheeks. At one point I was worried I wouldn’t be able to stop laughing and I’d have to excuse myself to regain my composure. And even though the larger consolidated school was the only school I ever knew personally, I was also moved to nostalgia. Times were much simpler even in the late 70′s and 80′s when I was a young student. I could relate to rehearsing for a school Christmas program and hoping your mother might attend.

An angry parent (played by Dorinda Glover) confronts the teacher, Miss Brown (played by Christina Donovan).

I won’t divulge any more details about the plot on the chance that you might get to see it one day. There currently are no plans that I know of to put it on again, but I hope they will. It deserves to be seen by a greater audience. It’s an important part of our heritage. And I know so many people who were unable to see the sold out show would enjoy it tremendously.

So why put in all the time and energy required to mount a successful dinner theatre for a one night only performance? As entertaining and tasty as the play and turkey dinner were, the reason for the whole production in the first place was the most important part of the evening for me. The event was a fundraiser for the Nelson Doyle Dancers.

The Nelson Doyle Dancers have been performing Irish dance on the Miramichi for 21 years. The group is a large one, consisting of girls and boys from age five to adult. Under the instruction of Ellen (Doyle) MacDonald, students do not pay a fee for their lessons but they are dedicated, practising sometimes many times each week.

A couple of the Nelson Doyle Dancers mid-air.

The group has been invited to Monaghan, Miramichi’s twin city in Ireland, to perform at several festivals there. For a Canadian group to be invited to Ireland to perform Irish dance is both a tremendous honour and also a testament to their incredible talent. But the cost of such a trip for a large group is considerable, so the dinner theatre was one of many fundraisers they will undertake in order to make the trip possible in August. I hope they’re able to raise the money. It’s such a wonderful opportunity for them to showcase their skills on an international scale. Should you come across any of their other fundraising endeavours, please show them your support. It is needed and well deserving.

To top off an already perfect evening some of the Nelson Doyle Dancers took the stage and showed us why the former mayor of Monaghan, Willie McKenna, extended the invitation in the first place. If you’ve never seen the group in action before, I urge you to seize your next available opportunity to do so. Words can’t begin to describe their talent or the feeling it evokes in the audience.

Nelson Doyle Dancers

There’s something about the beating drums and singing fiddles as dozens of feet furiously pound the stage before taking graceful flight in simultaneous leaps, spins and kicks that seems to call to the very core of my being. I can’t dance with them. I don’t know the steps and am probably too clumsy to execute them even if I did, but watching the performance I felt the Irish dance deep down in my soul. The experience took my breath and this time when tears sprang to my eyes it was because I was overcome with emotion. I sat there thinking, “This is my people, my dance. This is my heritage.” And this wasn’t the first time I’ve seen the Nelson Doyle Dancers. I’ve been to other performances before, and each time I have this indescribable experience of being “home”.

Maybe if half your blood isn’t Irish as mine is, maybe if your family’s roots don’t stretch as far back into the earth of the Miramichi as its first settlers like mine does … maybe then the experience would be less … magical … but I hope not. I think everyone must feel the powerful connection to art of the dance, if not to the heritage itself.

Overall, Christmas 2011 had its high points for me, but they were few and far between. Personally, I had one of those particularly challenging holiday seasons that I’m quite happy to finally be through with and on to other things. But way back on December 2nd, back at the Kin Centre surrounded by family, friends and neighbours, laughing until my sides hurt at a play that took me back to simpler times, enjoying my first taste of turkey for the year, feeling my heart swell with pride as it kept beat with the Celtic drums and followed the flying feet of the dancers onstage … back then the Christmas season had just begun and it held all the promise of being as gloriously wonderful as that first night. That is a memory I will cherish for years to come and think of fondly during future holiday seasons to immediately transport me back “home” and into the Christmas spirit.

Kellie Underhill is the Editor of Bread ‘n Molasses magazine. Her non-fiction and fiction writing have been published in newspapers and magazines across Atlantic Canada, as well as in Ireland.

Leave a comment on this post and you’ll be entered to win a signed copy of Miramichi author, Doug Underhill’s latest book entitled Salmon Country. We’ll draw one winner from everyone who comments on any of our special holiday themed posts for our annual Twelve Days of Christmas event!

Blissfield Pool

Each year the New Brunswick Summer Music Festival brings the best in classical chamber music to Fredericton, performed by Canada’s most talented artists.

To support the Festival, a number of years ago Bruno Bobak generously donated the original and a limited edition of 100
prints of his work, “Blissfield Pool”. We are selling raffle tickets on one of the few remaining prints we have in our collection.

This is a gorgeous scene of a fishing pool in the Miramichi – a perfect gift for anglers, Miramichiers and all Bobak fans.
This is your chance to obtain a rare and lovely print for your collection or for a wonderful holiday gift. ONLY 100 tickets will be sold and are $5 each. Draw date is December 12 – lots of time for Christmas giving.

To see the print and to purchase your tickets, contact Maria at the Festival Office, Room 22 Memorial Hall, UNB: (506)458-7836.  (Note: office hours are typically Monday to Thursday 8am-4pm. It’s often best to call before dropping by).

We also sell these prints and have a few left – call us to find out about purchasing.

Christmas Angel Dollars

In a world cluttered with discount store trinkets and disposable novelties, it can be tricky to find a gift with special meaning. The Charlotte Street Arts Centre in Fredericton is pleased to offer a new socially responsible, community-centred Christmas gift initiative with big heart: Christmas Angel Dollars.

You are invited to give an irreplaceable gift this Christmas by purchasing, for any amount over $10, Christmas Angel Dollars as presents for your friends and family. Christmas Angel Dollars are charitable, tax-deductible donations made in the name of a special one, and will go towards supporting the Charlotte Street Arts Centre initiative of your choice. Your gift will be represented by a beautiful 3” x 8” Christmas Angel Dollars certificate, where you can indicate your recipient’s name and the area of charitable activity that your gift will support. Official tax receipts will be issued for all Christmas Angel Dollar purchases.

The Charlotte Street Arts Centre is owned and operated by Fredericton Arts & Learning, a registered non-profit charitable organization. Our programs support youth at risk, women and children recovering from domestic violence, those living with mental health challenges as well as other marginalized groups in our community. Our expansion project aims to provide universal access to our facility for community members with health or mobility challenges. Our facility and all that it offers supports New Brunswick artists and the development of arts and culture in the province.

The Angel Dollars can be purchased from the Charlotte Street Arts Centre administrative office, Room 200 at the Charlotte Street Arts Centre. For more information, please call (506)454-6952 or email csac@nb.aibn.com. Visit our website at www.charlottestreetarts.ca for more information on our programs, artists and community initiatives.

Watch the trailer for the film below.

Written and directed by Jennifer Siebel Newsom, Miss Representation exposes how mainstream media contribute to the under-representation of women in positions of power and influence in America. The film challenges the media’s limited and often disparaging portrayals of women and girls, which make it difficult for women to achieve leadership positions and for the average woman to feel powerful herself.

Miss Representation includes stories from teenage girls and provocative interviews with politicians, journalists, entertainers, activists and academics like Condoleezza Rice, Lisa Ling, Nancy Pelosi, Katie Couric, Rachel Maddow, Rosario Dawson, Jackson Katz, Jean Kilbourne, and Glo-ria Steinem. The film offers startling facts and statistics that will leave audiences shaken and armed with a new perspective.

“We are thrilled to have so many outreach opportunities for Miss Representation. This film was made to be a change agent in our culture, to inspire both women and men to recognize women’s collective voice, leadership capacity and equal rights,” says Newsom.

In a society where media is the most persuasive force shaping cultural norms, the collective message that our young women and men overwhelmingly receive is that a woman’s value and power lie in her youth, beauty, and sexuality–and not in her capacity as a leader. While women have made strides in leadership over the past few decades, the U.S. is 90th in the world in terms of women in national legislatures, women hold only 3 % of clout positions in mainstream media, and 65% of women and girls have an eating disorder.

Miss Representation was selected from the Sundance line-up to be part of the OWN Documentary Film Club. “Through personal stories and provocative interviews, Jennifer crystalizes the relevance of the media and its portrayal of women in today’s society,” said Lisa Erspamer, Chief Creative Officer for OWN. In addition, ro*co films will distribute Miss Representation to educational institutions and libraries for classroom use and university screenings.

The distribution of the film will coincide with a social action campaign led by MissRepresentation.org. The campaign seeks to empower women and girls to challenge limiting labels in order to fully realize their potential, and ultimately transform our culture for the betterment of all. A portion of the film proceeds will be donated to women’s leadership initiatives led by partnership beneficiaries that include Girls for A Change, Girls Inc., The International Museum of Women, Step Up Women’s Network, The Women’s Media Center, and The White House Project. Together with these partners, MissRepresentation.org is organizing hundreds of thousands of individuals to participate in a series of small actions that will ultimately lead to a cross-generational revolution to eradicate gender stereotypes and create lasting cultural and sociological change that will benefit not only women, but the world at large. Join the campaign- visit www.missrepresentation.org.

About Girls’ Club Entertainment
Girls’ Club Entertainment was founded by Jennifer Siebel Newsom – actress, filmmaker, and former First Lady of San Francisco. It was formed as an umbrella entertainment company to develop and produce independent films with strong social, political, and cultural significance focused primarily on empowering women.

“Dealt a Deadly Hand”
Murder at the River Room Casino
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Casino opens at 5:30PM (games to follow)

The Salmon Museum Players are about to unveil a mystery dinner show that spoofs the movie “Casablanca” and the dream of winning the jackpot. You’ll meet crafty Native Americans, sneaky senior citizens, an Australian Croc Chaser, a two-faced lawyer, a kid with two left feet, a gambling casino owner with a Humphrey Bogart complex and a gold-digging ex-wife. Throw music and mayhem into the mix and you have “Dealt a Deadly Hand – Murder at the River Room Casino”.

CAST

Rick: Bev Gaston, Casino owner
Candy: Jenny Colford, Rick’s pre-teen daughter
Croc Chaser: Malcom Bowes, TV personality and owner of “What a Croc Farm”
Dudley Wadsworth III: Wayne Fowler, Rick’s lawyer
Stella Portabella: Sharon Clowater, Senior citizen visiting casino
Carmella Portabella: Becky Bowes, Senior citizen visiting casino
Chief Wooden Nickel: Delmer White, Native American with claims on casino
Princess Wanna Wampum: Sylvina Mertens, Chief’s girlfriend
Lola: Linda Gaston, Rick’s ex wife; a former showgirl

DINNER MENU

1st Course
Beginner’s Luck Bloody Mary’s (virgin)

2nd Course
Strawberry Surrender Salad

3rd Course
Royal Flush Stuffed Chicken Breast accompanied by rice and a medley of vegetables.

4th Course
Triple Decker Chocolate Cake

Early Bird tickets for the dinner and show are $50.00 with a 25.00 tax receipt. (Oct. 31st), $60.00 with a 25.00 tax receipt. (Nov.1st)

For information and reservations, call 506-365-7787 or 506-365-7054.

An Audience-Participation Murder Mystery-Comedy

St. Thomas University is playing host to the annual League of Canadian Poets fundraiser on Thursday, May 13 at 8 pm in the McCain Hall Study Hall.

The event will feature several poetry readings and performances by writers’ groups from the Fredericton.

Wolftree Writers, a women’s poetry group, will read from pieces on the theme of dresses and textiles. Slam poetry will be performed by the student group, Stand and Deliver. Other readings will include The Blacktop Motorcycle Gang and a group of playwrights, The Vagabond Trust.

Each 15 minute set will be divided by music from a 5-piece acoustic jazz ensemble. Used books will also be on sale. There is no admission charge, but donations will be accepted.

The event is part of WordsSpring hosted by the Writers’ Federation of New Brunswick at St. Thomas University from May 13 until May 16.

For more information, please contact Kathleen McConnell at kmcconn@stu.ca

WordsSpring will be taking place May 13 – May 16 in Fredericton, NB. Sally Armstrong, Jessica Grant, and Tony Tremblay (launching his biography of David Adams Richards) will highlight the festivities.

The program is available at the link below.

http://www.umce.ca/wfnb/WordsSpring.pdf

Donations of sandwiches and sweets are welcome. This event is being completely supported by donations from local businesses and volunteers so all the money being raised will go to Haiti. Several businesses will be making donations that day. If there is anyone else who plans to make a presentation, could you please contact me at 622 -1780 or e–mail bb2@nb.sympatico.ca. Receipts will be available for donations over $20.00.

Thank you for your continued support,

Susan Butler, C.M.,O.N.B., Coordinator for Miramichi Cares

All proceeds to ORA International
(Orphans & Refugees Aid, & Haiti feeding program)
Musical Program Coordinated by Susan Butler and featuring music of all ages.
Volunteers needed, sandwiches, sweets etc.

Call Brenda Burns at Dr. Hudson’s office 627 -2729 or hudson679@hotmail.com or Susan Butler at 622 – 1780 or bb2@nb.sympatico.ca