Misery
Written by Stephen King
Adapted by Simon Moore
Directed by D. Michael Dobbin
Performed by Karen Skidmore & Geoffrey Whynot
Grand Theatre, London
February 17 to March 7, 2009

Live! On Stage!
By Mary Alderson

Madness is contagious in the Grand’s latest production, the Stephen King thriller, Misery. We first realize that Annie is crazy when we learn that she hasn’t called an ambulance despite the seriousness of Paul Sheldon’s injuries. Her descent into madness progresses; however, throughout the story she relates bits and pieces of her past and we understand that her inability to deal with life is not new.
The play takes some disturbing twists and turns, and we see Paul slip precariously in and out of madness with Annie. Annie, as portrayed by Karen Skidmore, claims to be a former nurse and the number one fan of Sheldon, a writer of romance novels. When she finds him unconscious after an automobile accident, she decides to nurse his injuries. As a fanatical reader of his romance novels, Annie forces Paul to write the next book in the series to her liking. Geoffrey Whynot’s Paul seems sane enough, but when pushed to the edge by Annie’s mental illness, Whynot totters at the limits.
Both Skidmore and Whynot play the roles very well. Her madness is convincing, as his addiction to painkillers. At times, humour is created by the insane actions and the audience laughs, albeit nervously. Grand theatre-goers are not used to seeing hideous violence on their stage, and there is some obvious discomfort.
While the acting is excellent, the props are outstanding. The blood and gore is very convincing, and leaves little to the imagination. Credit goes to John Dinning for an outstanding set. The home, with an attractive exterior, revolves to reveal an interior where evil lurks in the rather ordinary looking rooms. Louise Guinand’s lighting adds to the mystery as the story unfolds.
Director D. Michael Dobbin has done an excellent job of taking Stephen King’s story, which was easily transformed into a movie, and giving it life on stage. The horror is very real.
So if this play is so well done, why didn’t I like it? Well, for the same reason that I put down a Stephen King book after just a few chapters. I don’t find the genre entertaining. And it’s not that I expect every theatre production to be amusing and uplifting. I certainly found last year’s presentation of Hana’s Suitcase very disturbing, but it was also a gripping education with redeeming value. I didn’t find much value in Misery’s story. But those who enjoy horror will appreciate this production.
Misery continues at the Grand Theatre in London until March 7. Tickets are available at the Grand box office at 672-8800 or 1-800-265-1593.

Mary Alderson offers her view of area theatre in this column on a regular basis. As well as being a fan of live theatre, she is a former journalist who is currently employed with the Ontario Association of Community Futures Development Corporations.

View from the Strip
By Casey Lessard

I wish I could be more thorough with my evaluation of this month’s release of the Lifesaving Society’s aquatic safety audit of Grand Bend beach. Unfortunately, I was late receiving a copy and had only today (the day I am sending the paper to the printer) to digest the 70-page document. (Staff responses to recommendations are included in the public report, and official comments will come in a future report.)
The Lifesaving Society saw no “priority concerns” that would require immediate attention, but made 30 primary recommendations and 19 secondary recommendations. At the time of the audits (May 30 and June 27, 2008), the beach was operating within the range of safe practice, as the Society calls it. It received that mark of approval because none of the areas covered by the primary recommendations threatened public safety. One month after the audits were performed, Ryan Albrecht of Stratford drowned at the beach.
While the report calls for improvements to record keeping, signage, staffing, and equipment, extended lifeguard hours were considered a secondary – or low-priority – recommendation. To the extended lifeguard hours concern, staff suggested such an extension in working hours to 6:30 (plus a half-hour to tear down) would be “overkill” for weekday patrols. It should be noted that Ryan Albrecht drowned minutes after lifeguards went off-duty at 5 p.m. on a Wednesday. Such an extension would not have helped Jule Kovar, who drowned in 2007, and went under the waves at 7:30 p.m.
One of the recommendations that is sure to spark debate is the one to close off the pier to pedestrian traffic. This may be a good idea, but a suggestion to ban swimming within 50 metres of the pier is more critical. Jule Kovar may be alive today if this ban were in place.
I am not in a position to make conclusions about the report or the municipality’s response to it today. I will be spending more time analyzing it as the summer approaches, and will find out which of the recommendations will come to fruition this year. I hope to keep the municipality to its word so that your safety and the safety of our visitors remains top priority. To me, that’s the most important part of this year’s beach enhancement.

Red Hand Day demands United Nations action

Story and photos by Casey Lessard

Our Lady of Mount Carmel students were caught red-handed February 5. They were painting their hands red and sending a handprint to the United Nations to put pressure on the international body to stop the use of child soldiers globally. The project is an initiative of Human Rights Watch, and Mount Carmel’s social justice club supports the move.
“We’re children and we can connect to the children who are fighting,” says Lauren Stewart, who formed the club with fellow student Jessica Lavery after seeing Free the Children founder Marc Kielburger speak. He told them that if they wanted to make a difference, they should start a social justice club. With 29 members, the club makes up almost 20 per cent of the school population.
“For these kids, putting a red hand means more than just finger painting. We are going to send these to the United Nations and hopefully it will make a difference.
“We want to see the decrease of child soldiers around the world.”
Principal Todd Chisholm is impressed with the students’ initiative.
“They make the decisions about their projects. It’s purely student-driven,” Chisholm says, noting such concern is nurtured in the classroom. “We talk about outreach and doing social justice for others. That’s already embedded in our classroom teaching, and at the school level, we have a philosophy about being a Community of Caring.”
Teacher Carrie Ducharme-Ivatts is the school’s Community in Caring leader. The project’s goal is to promote social justice and environmental awareness.
“You educate the whole person, and not just one aspect,” Ducharme-Ivatts says. “We focus on the spiritual, academic and intellectual components.”
Lenten activities will support Mission Services in London, with projects that include a raffle to support shelters, donation drives for clothing, lunch bags, and juice boxes.
“When the kids actually do it,” she says, “they get the value out of it. They feel they are making a difference.”
Lauren Stewart agrees, noting the students want to volunteer, but opportunities are limited for elementary students.
“They want high school students,” Stewart says. “It’s hard to find volunteer work off-site. We’re hoping they’ll see how hard we try and let us come on-site. It’s better for us.”
The group aims to accomplish one project per month, focusing on wide-ranging social justice concerns at home (such as bullying), in the community (Blessings and Mission Services) and around the world. Guest speakers and field trips are also planned.

The Ausable-Bayfield Conservation Authority hosts its 20th Conservation Dinner April 16 at the South Huron Recreation Centre in Exeter. This year’s feature artist is Bill Nieuwland of Huron Woods. The 64-year old self-taught artist frequently paints scenes that capture the ABCA’s mandate area. Nieuwland is donating three pieces: two giclée prints of previous work (Blue Point Sunset and Diamond Lake in Temagami), and a new, original work that he painted from the vantage point of his home on the Old Ausable River Channel called My Backyard.

As told to Casey Lessard

We moved here because we loved the trees, the beach, the river, the wildlife, the solitude, the quiet.
I always painted nature as a kid, and that’s what I love doing. I paint a lot of local scenes and a lot of water scenes. I did one of Arkona, and they sold a print of that at their silent auction last year.
My favourite spot is either the beach or the river. Most of my paintings are made in those areas. I’ve done four of my backyard, but you can only do so many of your backyard. I’ve done several of the Pinery. Then there’s the beach; I’ve done logs on the beach, geese on the beach, a lot of scenes on the beach.
I try to paint as much detail and dimension as I can. You want to outdo yourself every time. To do that, I look at other artists who do excellent work and wonder how they do it. I try to catch the methods they use, but I’m not trying to outdo them; I’m trying to outdo myself.
Four years ago, Doug Ellison suggested we join him at the dinner, and we were impressed. The dinner and atmosphere were great. They’ve picked some real good artists in the past. It’s quite a recognition and I’ve been donating prints to the silent auction ever since. I’m able to show my art to 450 people and be recognized in another area other than just Grand Bend. It’s a way for them to raise money. Plus it gives me exposure to people interested in my art.
I live on the river. I want it maintained in good standing. The ABCA does a good job and they have a lot of support, with a lot of people coming to the dinner. I believe in what they stand for: conservation areas are very important. I love nature, so I want to keep it as good as we can keep it.

For more information, visit www.abca.on.ca or www.conservationdinner.com

This is a healthy, heartwarming and mouth-watering dinner to “beet” the winter blues.

Roasted rack of lamb accented with a white bean puree and raw beet salad

Recipes by James Eddington
Eddington’s of Exeter
527 Main Street, Exeter
519-235-3030 – www.eddingtons.ca

Photos by Casey Lessard

Rack of Lamb

Marinate rack of lamb with fresh garlic, rosemary and sea salt.
Bake in 375ºF oven for 25-30 minutes.
Remove from oven and cover in foil (let lamb rest for about 10 minutes).
Take pan drippings and sear with 1 oz of red wine, splash of balsamic vinegar, 1 tbsp of Dijon mustard, 1 tsp of honey, and about 1/4 cup of diced peppers and/or tomato.
Carve rack of lamb along bone lines about 3/4 of the way through. Pour sauce (pan drippings) over cut lamb once plated.

White Been Puree
(can be made a day ahead)
This is a great substitute for potatoes. High in protein, fiber, magnesium, potassium, and iron.

Soak one cup of white beans in four cups of water overnight.
Sautée one white onion, 1/2 stock of celery, and three cloves of garlic in butter or oil.
Add about 2L of water (chicken stock or vegetable stock adds extra flavor), bring to boil then add pre-soaked beans.
Boil for at least two hours or until beans soften.
Add pinch of sugar, salt and pepper to taste.
Drain remaining water/stock.
Mash (just like potatoes) or purée in blender once cooled.
This can be refrigerated for up to two days. It actually has better consistency once refrigerated.
Re heat in sauté pan with 1 oz heavy cream, garlic, salt and pepper to taste. (Will look and feel like whipped potatoes)

Raw Beet Salad
(can be made day ahead)
High in B vitamins, beets are a natural blood cleanser and very colorful for presentation.

Julienne (Cut into long thin strips) four large beets and two large carrots. You can also put through food processor or grate.
In large bowl combine 2 oz rice wine vinegar, 1 oz balsamic vinegar, 3 oz apple juice, juice squeezed from one lemon, and honey to thicken (add small amount of honey at first, and add more if too bitter, until desired sweetness is met), whisk together and mix beets and carrots to mixture. Let sit for at least an hour in fridge; overnight is best.
Adding sun-dried cranberries, dried apricots etc., gives extra flavor and depth to salad.

Loss of manufacturing sector more than just numbers

Alternative View
By Lance Crossley

The latest job figures are not good. According to Statistics Canada, the country lost 129,000 jobs in January, which is worse than any monthly decline in the previous two recessions. Almost all the positions were full-time. Ontario was hit especially hard due to losses in the manufacturing sector, where 36,000 manufacturing positions evaporated into thin air. Unemployment rates are shooting up, with blue collar towns like Windsor already showing double digit unemployment figures.
Behind the numbers are a lot of devastated families. Some will be further distressed when they find out they don’t qualify for the Employment Insurance they have paid into all these years. But there is a broader and even more worrying trend, and that is the decline of our economic might.
Historically, Canada had to work hard to become more than just a natural resource based economy. It took sound public policy planning to create a diversified economy that wasn’t solely dependent on unprocessed resources. That is why by the mid-1990s Canada had become a heavyweight in the global manufacturing market. This helped make the country self-sufficient.
In the words of Jim Stanford, economist for the Canadian Auto Workers union, “For the first time in our history, we exported as much as we imported, and then some. For a country which traditionally relied on the export of natural resources to pay for imports of value-added merchandise, this was a tremendous achievement.”
But that economic high point was short lived. Since then our production exports have gone way down, and our reliance on resource exports – like Alberta oil – has risen dramatically. The problem with resource exports is that they are finite. A diversified, “value-added” economy with a strong manufacturing sector is more sustainable and better for our long-term economic security. For those who coldly suggest that laid-off manufacturing workers in Ontario can simply pack up and go work in the Alberta oils sand, think again. Forget about the complications of uprooting ones entire family to move out west, or the fact that oil sands projects are also being hit by the global recession. According to Stanford, there has only been one new job created in the mining and energy sector for every 4.5 jobs lost in the manufacturing sector between 2002-2008. And that was when the oil sands were booming.
I hate to say it, but the manufacturing sector in this province is done. It’s been dying for years. We need to build a new economy to replace the one we are losing. Even if we succeed in reinventing ourselves, it is going to take a long, long time to reap the benefits. In the meantime, better hold on tight.

Keeping the Peace
By Tom Lessard

It all started on my birthday this October. My boys bought three tickets to see Montreal (my favourite) play Buffalo in Buffalo. Hearing this, another son and my grandson wanted to go, too, so they bought two more tickets. Then a friend of Billy’s thought it would be a good plan if he could go with us.
I left Crediton in the morning and left my car at my eldest son Tom’s house in London. His seven-year-old daughter, plays hockey on a Devilettes novice house league team that had a tournament game at 10:15 that morning at the Western Fair sports complex. We had plenty of time, so we stayed and watched them play. It was her turn to play goal; they won 3-1. Great game!
As soon as it was over, Tom and I left for Burlington, where we were to meet the rest of the gang. Clipping down Highway 403 at 120 km/h, we didn’t see two cruisers sitting on the median. As we passed them, I noticed the lights start flashing. I said to Tommy, “Uh oh! Here goes a couple hundred and a some points.” But, as it turned out, they weren’t after us.
About half an hour later, Tommy’s phone rang. It was Billy calling to see where we were and to tell us of a change in meeting places. Tommy wasn’t looking in his mirrors and wouldn’t you know it, a cruiser passed us. Thankfully, considering the new cell phone driving law, he wasn’t looking our way.
On we went to our new rendezvous point, Mississauga. We picked up four in our group and headed off to Niagara Falls and the Wolfs Head Lodge, where Bill’s friend, our last rider, was staying. GPS is a wonderful invention; it directed us right to the door.
After loading up, we headed to Fort Erie and the bridge. The crossing is a very busy place. We had to show a passport or two pieces of identification (including one with a photo). The guard checked everybody out and when he came to me, he said that I wouldn’t be able to cross.
We asked why and he said it was because of my attire. I was wearing a Habs shirt, Habs helmet/hat, Habs coat, and Habs scarf. One of my sons piped up and said, “At least he’s not wearing a Leafs uniform.” After that, he let us go and told us to have a good time.
We arrived in Buffalo early and decided to go for supper at the Pearl Street Grill and Brewery, a restored warehouse in the city’s historic district. When we got to the entrance, we were told that there was at least an hour wait on the main floor, but if we wished to go up to the third floor, there would be lots of room. The first floor was for dining with entertainment; the second floor was an arcade with pool tables, dart boards, shuffle board, and gaming machines. The third floor had a bar, all you can eat buffet with salads, wings, roast beef, pasta, gravies, sauces and rolls. The tables were round and candlelit. As more people arrived, walls were opened to show more tables and chairs.
After dinner, because it was a long walk to the arena, the boys pushed me in a wheelchair. Arriving at the arena, we were fronted by red, white and blue shirts, coats and hats. I thought we were at the Montreal Forum. The mass of Montreal fans reflects the fact that the Hamilton Bulldogs are a farm team, and use the same Habs uniform. The HSBC staff and volunteers were excellent; we were treated with respect and assistance that would be hard to beat.
There was plenty of hollering, singing, booing and cold beer, and even though the Habs outshot and outplayed the Sabres, we went down to defeat. Wait until next time!
Happy anniversary Rita and Happy Birthday Glenn.

Romance can be humourous, but it can also be addictive, so watch out!

Advice from Mom
By Rita Lessard

Happy Valentine’s Day! Another occasion to be nice to our loved ones and friends.
Around six years ago, when I was working days at Tim Horton’s, I had an elderly customer who came in for coffee nearly every day. Quite a nice old guy, a bit of a romantic, and a joker to boot. A week before Valentine’s Day, the old fellow asked me if I would be offended if he brought a little Valentine’s gift for me and the girls that worked on our shift. I was a little surprised, but when he said that he had been working on his project for some time, I agreed that it would be fine.
The next week, he came in with his gifts, which were little knitted red hearts that we could pin to our uniforms. We were so happy to wear the little hearts, and I think we made the elderly gentleman feel quite happy.
As I said, he was quite a joker, which explains why I was reluctant when he offered the gift. I’ll give you an example. One day he told me that when he was younger, he complained to a friend that he didn’t know what to buy his wife for Valentine’s Day. “She already has everything you could think of, and anyway, she works so she can buy herself whatever she likes.”
“Here’s an idea,” said his friend. “Make up your own gift certificate that says, ‘Thirty minutes of great loving any way you want it.’ I guarantee she’ll be enchanted.”
The next day, the friend asked, “Well, did you take my suggestion?”
“Yes,” the fellow replied.
“Did she like it?”
“Oh, yes,” he said. “She jumped up, kissed me on the forehead and ran out the door, yelling, ‘See you in 30 minutes!’”
Because he was a romantic and a joker, I don’t really know if he was telling the truth. If you can imagine, I still have my little red heart and I’ll be wearing it again this Valentine’s.

Always a romantic
You’re never too old to fall in love. Take my mother, for instance. It seemed like she was always in love. My dad passed away when she was 47 years old, which was quite young to be a widow. After a decent grieving time of three years, my mother started dating and got married for the second time when she was 58 years old. Alas, she became a widow again when she was 70.
It took her nine years before her pursuit of love and happiness were fulfilled. At 79 years old – with rumours swirling that she was pregnant – she decided to go up the aisle again. I wasn’t too sure if this marriage was going to last, though. One day I was visiting mom and she was a little bit depressed, so I asked her what was wrong. “Oh, I don’t know,” she said. “Normally I’m happy, as you know, but last night I had to slap Gord in the face three times.”
“You’re kidding,” I replied. “At his age, the old fool? Was he trying to get fresh with you or beat you?”
“Oh no,” she said,” I slapped him because I thought he was dead.”
Sure enough, six months later, mother was alone again. This time, however, she divorced the man. I guess she wasn’t pregnant after all. Such a waste.
My mother passed away in her 89th year and an hour before she died she was flirting with her doctor. Now that’s a romantic!

Happy Valentine’s Day and Happy Birthday to Glen (Feb. 19) and my brother Robert Peter (Feb 24).

Living in Balance
By Jenipher Appleton

Snow, snow, and… more snow! Long stretches of intense cold! Sounds like a good old-fashioned Canadian winter, just as the Farmer’s Almanac predicted. However, it can be hard on people and animals alike.
In mid January, during one of the cold snaps, I was outside shoveling snow – no surprise there. I kept hearing a pathetic “meowing” sound and finally located a small cat crouched beneath the front porch. In the twilight I must have looked like a shadowy figure because when I reached out to pet it, ‘Kitty’ took off and disappeared into the dusk.
I surmised that it was likely a barn cat and hoped it would go back to where it belonged. That night the thermometer plunged to a bone-chilling -20 degrees Celsius. The next morning, as I walked past the porch with Fergus the Lab, I was disappointed to hear the soft meowing once again. I finished up the short jaunt with the dog and deposited him into the house (he doesn’t get along with cats very well). I went to the fridge and found a piece of turkey. Back outside, I carefully approached the cat, who I could now see had tiger-like markings and was a little on the small side, yet fully grown. I extended my meat offering carefully, and the cold kitty gingerly bit into it. That was when I grabbed him (her?) by the scruff of the neck and clutched him to my chest. He snuggled in and kept munching the turkey as I walked him two doors north to the neighbour’s horse barn. I lifted the latch and entered the comfortable space where plenty of felines were gathered, well fed and watered. The horses provided plenty of warmth. What a relief! Now I could proceed to work with a clear conscience. Thankfully, I have not seen Kitty since. It is amazing how tough animals can be; however, I doubt this cat would have survived much more of the biting cold.

Animal adaptations
There are two main ways wild critters adapt in winter. One category is the ‘nappers and snackers’. These are animals that are not true hibernators: squirrels, chipmunks, bears, skunks, beavers and badgers. They will sleep much of the time, but get up and forage for food when the weather is good. Raccoons, skunks, bears, and badgers will actually enter a state of torpor during intense cold and live off their own fat for a while.
The true hibernators appear to be dead because the heart rate is so slow and body temperature drops dramatically. They must eat a lot of food in the fall before going to sleep. True hibernators include: bats, groundhogs, ground squirrel, frogs, snakes, etc.

White-tailed deer
The white-tailed deer have had it rough this winter. Deep snow makes it difficult to negotiate movement and the long cold periods mean more energy is required. The deer continue to forage on any plants, twigs, and buds they can get at, including cedar trees and the bark of many other types of trees. In spite of the deep snow, any of the deer Fergus and I have spotted in the back field have appeared to be relatively healthy.
So… was Wiarton Willie correct in his prediction of six more weeks of winter when he was awakened from his winter sleep on February 2? The deer certainly hope not!

Eye for Design
By Lorette Mawson
http://www.decoratewithlorette.com/

Since we are having, shall we say, an old fashioned winter, I thought why not talk about colour? This seems to be the time of year when we all could use a little colour in our living spaces. I am going to start with a quick definition of what each colour represents, which may give you the colour inspiration you need for your home.
One of my favourite colours is red, which is a colour of expression and energy. When used on walls, it has a wrapping effect.
Orange is a colour that represents warmth and nature. An upbeat colour, it also makes some feel hurried, so it may not be the best choice for a room where you want to relax.
Yellow, the happy, hopeful colour, is also considered an intellectual colour. This would make a good choice for an office or a classroom.
Right now, I wish I were seeing this colour out my window: green. Green is associated with nature, nurturing and harmony, so this would be a good colour for a bedroom, bathroom, reading area, office, or library. Many possibilities.
Purple, or violet, is associated with luxury, sophistication, and wealth. It can be overwhelming in large quantities, but very striking in accessories.
We’re seeing a lot of white these days; some see white as crisp and clean, others as sterile, and some find it stark and impersonal, while others find it calming.
The final colour I want to address is black. Black is the mystery colour, the colour of the unknown. It’s also a solid and grounding colour, and it’s a formal colour.
Knowing how colour can affect us should help you in choosing colours for your home. Other colour inspiration can come from a piece of fabric you love or your favourite clothes. We seem to gravitate to colours we love when we are buying clothes.
Soon, summer will come and we will be back to the great outdoors, but for now, I hope this little bit of colour knowledge will give you some inspiration, unless white is your colour of choice.