February 2021 Town of Pelham Newsletter
Pelham seniors and youth triumph in creation of
original radio play
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic impacted everyone, forcing the review of daily activities and tasks and putting a premium on health and safety.
For the members of SAY IT! On Stage, a program supported by the Town of Pelham that engages seniors and youth in the community, the pandemic forced them to get creative in every facet of their production, including how to complete it.
It would have been easy to pack it in for 2020, chalk up the incomplete project to the pandemic, and hope for a better result in 2021. But for Colleen Kenyon, creative lead for the project, forging ahead was the only option.
“Where else can you find 17 and 70-year-olds together in a virtual space, interacting as peers?” said Kenyon. “We’re delighted to have put our imaginations to work, producing a bit of audio entertainment for audiences to enjoy. The real worth of this program, however, is in the unique friendships that form across the generations throughout the process of building our performance pieces. Since the SAY IT! On Stage project launched in June of 2019, it has provided a space for people to share who they are, and to explore what they are capable of artistically.”
Unable to meet in person, project members assembled in Zoom rooms, experimenting with a hybrid theatre art: old-time radio plays performed on a videoconferencing app. Through months of weekly virtual meetings, the members met to read through vintage scripts and then set to work, creating a radio play of their own. Developing their characters, plot lines, and setting the scene without a stage became the meetings’ focus.
The resiliency of the arts became apparent as SAY IT! members rehearsed from a living document in a virtual venue. The performers did not let their endeavour’s newness deter them from learning a whole new way to communicate, wait out unstable internet connections, and record endless electronic versions of a prodigious draft document. By early fall, the group’s efforts saw a radio script in its final stages of editing come to life. Unearthed, an original radio play, was born.
The challenge then became how to record a podcast, with multiple voice actors, in a pandemic. Following the latest public health requirements, measuring tapes, clear barriers, contact tracing, a strict schedule, and plenty of sanitization supplies, recording day took place in late November. Just as the group adjusted learning Zoom, they quickly took to recording tracks for each of the performers.
“It was quite impressive to see the ingenuity and the passion that went into bringing this project to life,” said Leah Letford, special events and festivals coordinator with the Town of Pelham who helped oversee the logistical elements of the production. “You could see the connection that these community members had built with each other through this process. And to do it, with the adversity presented by the pandemic’s restrictions, it was quite remarkable and should be celebrated.”
After several rounds of edits and review, the radio play was complete. The performers gathered around their Zoom screens over the holidays to have a listening party of their original production.
The final product of Unearthed follows a pair of armchair detectives as they unravel a tangle of suspects and clues. Those interested in listening to the radio play can find it through the Town of Pelham website www.pelham.ca/arts and can listen to the three episodes.
The SAY IT! On Stage group is now looking forward to this year’s project, and those interested in joining are welcome to connect virtually to learn how they can be involved. This year, the group hopes to produce a film.
Pelham Support Network back in action
The Town of Pelham is pleased to support the Fabulous Fenwick Lions Club as they team up with local businesses to relaunch the Pelham Support Network (PSN).
The network is made possible by volunteers bringing needed supplies to those in self-isolation or quarantine due to a positive COVID-19 test or has had close contact with someone who has tested positive or has symptoms.
Orders made before 1 p.m. will be delivered the afternoon of that day. Orders made after 1 p.m. will be delivered the following afternoon Monday-Saturday.
The driver will place items at your door and call you once they are delivered. There is no need to greet the drive, and it is asked that physical distancing be observed for the volunteers’ safety.
For more information, please call Halee Braun at the Town of Pelham 905-892-2607 x347 or email the Lions at psn@fabulousfenwicklions.org
If you would like to be a volunteer delivery driver, please fill out the Volunteer Registration Form. If you are a Pelham Business and would like to partner with PSN, please go to the Business Registration page. Learn more at https://fabulousfenwicklions.org/psn-main-page/
Beautification Committee spots candles for hope
Submitted by the Pelham Beautification Committee
Dr Louis Albanese is pictured in front of his home in Pelham. The lit candles have been displayed in his windows day and night for over 20 years. The candles were first placed in the windows to provide a feeling of warmth and welcome to his home that was built in 1929. This past year the candles have taken on an added significance due to the COVID-19 pandemic ... to light the way through this darkest time in recent history.
A lit candle displayed in windows dates back to colonial times.Some popular interpretations are that the burning candle in the window
represents welcome to weary travelers, friendship and a sign of hope for better things to come. As we enter a new year the Pelham Beautification Committee would like to recognize the many homes throughout Pelham with candles burning in the window … a symbol of welcome to a new year, friendships new and old, and a sign of hope that we will overcome this most serious health crisis with renewed energy and commitment to a better life for all. Stay safe and stay healthy.
This month’s recognition is inspired by a recent article found on social media: “Last night, I saw my husband Jack place a single flameless candle in our front window. When asked why, he replied that in times of war, families would put a candle in the window to light the way for their children to return home safely from battle. Today, the world is at war with a horrific pandemic that has ground daily life to a halt. This candle represents the light of hope…the hope that together, we will overcome this most serious health crisis.Let’s unite and share this beacon of hope throughout our community. Please share with family, friends and neighbours and join us in this effort.” (Lynn Polizos, Virginia)
The Pelham Beautification Committee is an advisory committee to Pelham Council. The Committee seeks to foster civic pride, environmental responsibility and beautification through community involvement. The monthly ‘Thank You’ card program is one of the Committee’s efforts to inspire the Town’s businesses, organizations and residents to exemplify ideals defined in the Beautification Committee’s Terms of Reference, available at www.pelham.ca/beautification.
The Pelham Beautification Committee will name a recipient each month. Individuals are encouraged to submit potential recipient recommendations to the Pelham Beautification Committee at: beautification@pelham.ca. For more information, contact: Cynthia Roberts, Vice-Chair, Pelham Beautification Committee, at 289-686-5676.