Dave Ogilvie
For the last year, an aboriginal group headed by Thunder Bay performer Shy-Anne Hovorka has been touring Northwestern Ontario and northern reserves raising awareness about living a healthy lifestyle and searching for local talent.
In a recent visit to Fort Frances and area, the group encouraged district youth aged 12-22 to come out to perform at the Townsend Theatre.
Unfortunately, only three performers turned out for the challenge—a girl from Robert Moore School, a Fort Frances High School student, and Star Martin from Emo.
Although Martin is just eight years old, the organizers thought they would give the young musician a break and let her perform anyway.
She sang “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus, which has a message all about believing in yourself and never giving up on your dreams.
Shy-Anne Hovorka was so impressed with Martin’s ability that she is allowing the young performer to advance to the next level. So Martin is off to Thunder Bay, along with the other two performers, to compete in the next level of the talent search on Oct. 23.
The top five competitors from there then will go on to Winnipeg for the national competition.
Although the official minimum age limit for the talent search is 12, maybe eight-year-old Star Martin will “blow them away” in Thunder Bay.
After all, believing in yourself and never giving up on your dreams is the first step to success.
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The new Emo and District Lions Club held a barbecue/potluck dinner on Friday (Oct. 1) at Northridge Funeral Home to meet and greet this year’s district governor, Val Martindale.
Following the meal, Martindale brought greetings and a message from the International Lions president, Sid Scruggs III.
His theme, “Beacon of Hope,” encourages Lions everywhere to serve others from their heart, to make their communities better places to live, and to be a beacon of hope to those in need.
Martindale built on this theme by urging the Emo and District Lions to go M.A.D.
“Make A Difference in your community and around the world,” she told the group, also urging those present to be remembered for “what they do,” not “what they sell.”
Local club president Jason Lilley closed the evening’s festivities by thanking the members from the Fort Frances Lions and Voyageur Lions clubs for attending, and also District Governor Martindale for bringing such an encouraging and uplifting message.
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All seniors age 50+ are welcome to attend the annual “Christmas Turkey Dinner and Entertainment” on Saturday, Dec. 11 at 1 p.m. at the Millennium Hall in Stratton.
Come and enjoy a country celebration.
In related news, area seniors also are invited to a potluck dinner at noon, which takes place every third Friday of the month (except for August and December) at the Stratton seniors’ centre on the highway.
The next potluck meal is set for Oct. 15.
The seniors’ centre also hosts “500” every Monday and aerobics, which takes place every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 9 a.m.
The aerobics group has been meeting for the past 20 years and still is going strong.
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The 3:16 Club begins today (Oct. 6).
Open to all children from SK through Grade 5, the 3:16 Club will be held Wednesdays from 3:30-5 p.m. at the Calvary Baptist Church in Emo (behind Borderland Esso).
This free club features games, songs, snacks, Bible stories, and tons of fun! The theme for this year is “Stories Jesus Told.”
For more information, call Carmela Klug (482-3157) or the church (482-2474).
Children coming from Donald Young School (with their parents’ permission) can meet Mr. Enns at the flagpole and he will walk them over to the church.
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The Christian Reformed Church in Emo is running a boys’ club called Cadets for ages nine-15.
Through Cadets, boys will be involved in activities such as exploring, merit badges, projects, camping, Bible studies, meeting new friends, hiking, games, and much more.
Cadets will meet bi-weekly on Wednesdays from 7-9 p.m. at the church, with the first meeting planned for Oct. 20 (please register by Oct. 17).
The annual registration fee is $50, which includes uniform, guidebook, subscription to club magazine, etc.
For more information or to register, contact Darryl Marissen (482-3893) or Mike Veldhuisen (482-2644).
