The World is a Stage
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After weeks of extremely early spring weather, the snow is drifting down lazily from the sky as I write this Monday morning.
We must reason that it is still March and snow can still be expected. Think of it as Winter’s Final Fling and blame the snow on the Tillsonburg Lioness Club for that is what they have named their upcoming, important fundraising event. The weather is just giving them some free publicity!
It seems Winter’s Final Fling is actually a code name for the greatly anticipated, annual Ladies Night Out. Those lively Lionesses have put together a dynamic duo to entertain the ladies on April 7th at the Lions Auditorium.
Jaclyn VanHappen, a singer and thought-provoking songwriter, who has travelled around the world spreading her love of music, will surprise you. If you check her out on the internet you will find that this young lady has a lot of talent singing and playing country and pop music, and her own songs, which are well worth listening to. Jaclyn’s song Today I Was Told, was inspired from her experience in front of celebrity judges in the Canadian Idol contest.
If her name sounds familiar, you may have already heard her perform right her in Tillsonburg. I had the pleasure of auditioning and having Jaclyn perform in my Vaudeville fundraiser for the museum six years ago. It is exciting to see how her dreams are turning into reality. More recently you may have seen her at Indigo Lounge or Chasers, and Relay for Life.
Bob Finlay will be next on the bill. He has had a long and successful career in entertainment. Bob has opened for the Rankin Family, Barra McNeil's, as well as for musicians John Cameron, Andy Stewart and The Alexander Brothers. He has played in Scotland, Vegas, Disneyworld, New York and on both our West and East Coasts.
Bob came to Canada when Gordon Lightfoot, the Guess Who, Neil Diamond, Elvis and the Eagles were big. He came from a family where everyone would pick up an instrument and play so it was a logical step to become an entertainer at the age of 15. Like most entertainers, Bob also likes to eat and so he uses his talents as a Music & Recreation Therapist at St Thomas’ Southwest Centre for Forensic Mental Health Care.
Bob has also performed at many Highland Games, stage shows, pubs, Royal Canadian Legions and various Lions and Lioness concerts. There will be a wee bit a Scottish flavour, for Bob will be a wearin’ his kilt, so you ladies should start practicin’ the rolling of your ‘R’s!
The evening includes a delicious supper, the show, beautiful door prizes, raffles and a “Pick-A-Prize” table including a number of valuable prizes.
The Tillsonburg Lioness are very dedicated to assisting and improving our community. This fundraiser allows them to give back to Glendale High School scholarships, The Royal Canadian Legion, Domestic Abuse Society - Oxford, Salvation Army at Christmas time, Helping Hand Food Bank, Community Living as well as supporting several Lions fundraising projects.
The Tillsonburg Lioness Club's latest plan is to purchase a Guide Dog for $2,000, over a period of three or four years. At Ladies Night, the Lionesses will be presenting a cheque for $2,000 to benefit the Tillsonburg Community Centre Children’s Summer Program. This will pay for 16 full weeks of camp at $125 per week.
Ladies, why not share this wonderful evening out with your friends by getting a table for April 7th? Not only will you all have a great fling, you are also helping your community by supporting the Tillsonburg Lioness Club. It is a mega win-win event.
Tickets are $30 each and they can be purchased at the Station Arts Centre, Annandale National Historic Site, or by calling Lioness Judy at 519-842-7843 to reserve your tickets or to get more information on the evening.