Dancing For Life experience memorable

Opinion

Posted 1 month ago

Editor:

Daily, our area is made better by those who give without asking for anything in return. We saw one such example when the province recently handed out its Community Service Awards. Imagine this: 261 citizens had given more than 3,000 years of volunteer service to the rest of us.

There is Ann Milne, who put her life on hold for months to produce the spectacular show, Dancing for Life . . . Because You Can. Why? Not for personal gain. She did this to benefit the vulnerable in our midst -- those who need the services of the Alzheimer's Society, Cancer Society, Children's Aid and Community Living.

Ann ably assisted by her ballet master, Otar Beridze, choreographed dances for the children and the local "celebrities". These two talented people gave up countless hours to bring a very special show to the OSCVI stage. Ann's vision, dedication and heart drove this production. Owen Sound and area, you should be very, very proud of this daughter who returned home to enrich our lives so immeasurably.

We witnessed the courage of Geoff Stevens. who wrote and sang a very special song,Gonna Find a Cure,celebrating the challenge he faces every day in his fight against cancer.

It would be an oversight to neglect mentioning others who were also important to this venture: Jamie Smith and Tara MacKenzie whose music brought us to tears; the parents who sewed awesome costumes and those who worked tirelessly in the background; the staging, lighting, sound technicians who were so very professional; our indomitable stage manager, Eileen Wainwright, who kept it all flowing seamlessly; the stage "hands" who readied us all so gently for our stage performances; Mane Street Hair Salon and Hair, Body & Soul who gave us the "hair" and "face" for our stage presence; our professional MC's, Diana Mader and Bob Wallace, who added their special humour to the occasion; the very generous sponsors who monetary and "product" gifts helped Ann to realize her financial goal.

And, finally, the audience. At every performance you received us with such spirit, such joy, such enthusiasm -- that we were lifted and heartened to try our best for you. Thank you all for being a part of Ann's dream for her, and our, community.

"Celebrities" -Chris Hartley, Verona Jackson, Heather Middlebro' Moona Rahemtulla,

Donna Lynn Ringer, Lois Taylor, Andy Van Dolder, Glenn Wilson