Good Friday breakfast draws full house

A crowd of about 250 people came out to La Place Rendez-Vous on Good Friday morning to enjoy fellowship and delicious food for the annual Kiwanis Club breakfast.
The sold-out event got underway at 8 a.m. as Kiwanis president John Beaton offered opening remarks, noting the event began here back in 1994 by Kiwanis past governor Ken Koprowski and has grown to be extremely popular.
Pastor Jeff Plett then blessed the meal prior to the line forming at the buffet.
This year’s guest speaker was Rev. Jill Warner of International Falls, who played two songs with a drum, retold the Easter story, and also spoke about independent thinking while at the same time celebrating the global community.
Diane Maxey and the Borderland Choral Bells then provided entertainment with a trio of songs.
Bell ringers on hand included Dodie DeBenedet, Pam Guild, Keely Jolicoeur, Dawn Jolicoeur, Lorraine McIntosh, Pat Crewson, Everett Freeman, Linda Reed, Kathie Nugent, Gemma Lamonato, and Nicole Murray.
< *c>Bell ringers needed
Maxey noted this may be the last performance of the bell choir because she needs more committed members to keep going and to justify fundraising for a three-octave set of bells, which would cost about $10,000.
Maxey said she needs 11 players for a three-octave set of bells who are committed to learning and playing the bells on a regular basis, and also can read music and have natural rhythm.
Ideally, she would like even more than 11 people, even doubles, so they could fill in for regular members if they can’t make a performance.
“Right now, I have no one. You can’t run that way,” lamented Maxey, adding Lamonato and Murray were called as replacements for the Good Friday performance.
The set of bells the choir is using now are on loan from a church in southern Ontario, and already have been here for about 18 months.
Maxey said if she had sufficient core players, she would be willing to spearhead fundraising efforts to buy a set of bells, but added that if she doesn’t have enough interested players by the end of April, the bells will have to be sent back.
Those interested in getting involved with the Borderland Choral Bells should call Maxey at 274-7309. Leave a message if there’s no answer.