
8 minute read
THE SYRINGA TREE
Wow! Just wow! I know I should really keep you in suspense, so you read my whole review, but that was so amazing. Now do me a favour and read to the end.
Okay, there is so much to say about Rosebud Theatre and Rosebud itself. I love it there. I attended this play with one of my best friends. She is really into all things fancy and creative, so I wanted to make sure we had time to see the Banks and Braes bed and breakfast. I first saw this place over a year ago and although I had always meant to go back, I never seem to leave enough time. This place is amazing! I know I won’t be staying there anytime soon, as it is appropriately priced for what they offer, which makes it out of my reach, but just going on a quick tour with the owner was awesome. I’m a simple creature so I just see pretty, fancy rooms and that’s enough to impress me. My friend was wowed by details like the fabric choices for curtains, the height of the ceilings, and the antiques etc. Each room has a different theme. They have a website with photos if you want to check it out. It would appear that no expense was wasted, and these are very creative people who have put this place together. I predict that this is going to be a destination for people who may not even be aware of the school, theatre and all the other Rosebud awesomeness. I need to allow more time on these trips so I can discover the other gems that Rosebud has to offer.
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Ok, so I have ranted in the past about not being able to eat out with my dietary restrictions. These guys get it. There were multiple menu choices labelled as gluten free, vegan, dairy free etc. I mentioned this to our server, so I’m hoping she relayed the message to the chef or whoever is responsible for the choices at the buffet. I had a wonderful meal. Thank you, Rosebud!
So, I am a bit of a softy. Yes, I can be emotional, but really! The lights went dim, and a woman appeared on stage. She immediately emoted angst, love, longing, sorrow, and joy. I had goosebumps and there was no point even trying to fight the tears that were welling up in my eyes. Keep in mind this is 30 seconds into the play. I was with her for all her memories. I felt the pain, the joy, the playfulness, the injustice and bigotry. What a journey we had!


The set consisted of a swing, a scarf and a kind of fabric backdrop revealing a portrait of a woman. The Syringa Tree is about growing up in Apartheid South Africa. It’s about a family. It’s about love, cruelty, race and so much more. It’s no surprise to me that Morris Ertman directed this production. He was responsible for the direction of some of the best shows I have seen, among them are Stones in His Pockets, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and A Christmas Carol.
Let’s not forget the writer Pamela Gien who was commissioned to write the Syringa Tree as a novel which she then adapted into a screenplay. She dedicated it to her parents and to the children of South Africa.
There are 22 characters represented in this story of the heart. They are all portrayed by Katharine Venour. I can’t begin to imagine memorising the volume of lines she delivered, not to mention her seamless transformation from one character to another. She never lost me. She was an adorable innocent child, an old man, a middle-aged woman, and Elizabeth or ‘monkey’ as Salamina called her. There are some light moments, filled with childlike wonder and humour and so much passion. Not the lovey dovey romantic kind, but love between Lizzy and her caregiver, and her family and friends. There was love for her homeland, love of the earth and passion for justice. It left me feeling devastated, hopeful and satisfied, having been on such a wonderful journey with Elizabeth. You know at the end of a really good performance there are a few people standing up, then more join in? Ultimately even the unimpressed or those who are unenthusiastic about standing end up standing as well. This is not how it happened. The play ended and everyone stood and clapped. It was immediate. Sometimes I love a performance and I wonder if the other attendees saw what I saw or if it was different for them. It was clear to me that we all saw the same heart wrenching, loving, wondrous performance. I’m not crying, you’re crying!

Chestermere Whitecappers
July 2023
Newsletter
Board Meetings
2ND Wednesday of each month. 7:00 pm
SENIOR’S WEEK – June 5 -10, 2023
Senior’s Week 2023 was very busy and very successful. Approx. 40 people attended the Whitecappers Open House and Historical Society presentation of Origin Place Names. Participation from the audience was good and the Evaluation Form feedback from attendees was very positive. Winner of the Door Prize (a gift basket valued at $150.00) was Wilfrid Mallette. The attendance at the Friday Open Games Night was approx. 40 people as well with many new faces in attendance. The feedback from the Evaluation Forms was very positive with. The event was described as having a “Welcoming Atmosphere”.
Winner of the Door Prize (a gift basket valued at $110.00) was Cheryl Butterley. The cumulative total of all of the attendees from all of the events was 642. Thanks to everyone for your support and I hope you enjoyed all of the other activities that were part of Senior’s Week.
Our Fundraiser Was a Resounding Success!
The Chestermere Soundwaves in conjunction with the Chestermere Whitecappers held an amazing event full of fun, entertainment and good old camaraderie for an amazing cause. Over $1900 was raised for the Chestermere Women’s Crisis Society through door proceeds, a 50/50 draw and a silent auction. A big thank you to all those who supported this event and an even bigger thank you to Sue Woods who graciously donated her 50/50 winnings to the Society. It’s about
People Helping People!
We look forward to hosting more events like this in future.
Our annual Stampede Breakfast will be held on the morning of Saturday July 15th from 9:3011:30. The cost will remain at $5.00 per person and the breakfast will consist of Tea/Coffee, Sausage, Pancakes, Fruit and Schwartz Potato Casserole. We will have live entertainment provided by Wilf, Connie and Stephen Poole along with some lively country tunes. Put on your best Western Bib and Tucker and come out for a morning of fun! Prizes will be awarded for the best Male and Female Western wear!


Chestermere Historical Society
Meeting July 18th at 1:00 pm.
2023 -2024 MEMBERSHIP CARDS AND RECEIPTS
For those of you who have renewed your memberships but have not yet received your Membership Card and Receipt, they are available for pickup at the office. Pins for New Members are not yet available.
Big Thank You To The Knitter
The Quilting group would like to send out a BIG THANK YOU, to all the knitters. We receive wool/yarn that is donated to us along with the material we use in quilting.
Jean Waite, Barb Cottrell, Kashmir Basi, Gail Jerome and Art Christensen, knit baby sweaters, children’s sweaters, baby blankets, ladies hat and scarf sets, men’s toques and knitted toys. We give these items out to the different Charities along with our quilts. They all are beautiful knitters and their items are much appreciated. Thank you all for your time and efforts and thank you to all that donate the wool/yarn, and material to us. It is put to good use and much appreciated!!!
The next Potluck Supper will be held Tuesday, July 25, 2023. Bring your favorite dish or something from your favorite deli or grocery store.

Doors Open 4:30 Supper 5:30
Volunteers are required for this event. Please see the signup sheet at Whitecappers. Please make a note of the contents of the dish so we can advise anyone with allergies.
DROP-IN COFFEE AT THE WHITECAPPERS
Drop- In coffee at the Whitecappers is available on Saturdays at 10:00 am.
CASINO August 25 th and 26th
The next Whitecappers Casino will be held Aug 25 & 26, 2023 at the Ace Casino Blackfoot. We are in need of a few additional volunteers for this event particularly for the late shifts. Even when the slots are filled we require spares to be available If you have not yet signed up but are able and available to help please sign up on the registration sheet at Whitecappers. No previous experience is required. Thanks to those who have already signed up. A preliminary schedule has been posted at Whitecappers

This is a critical event for Whitecappers as it pays the rent for our facility
BIRTHDAY WISHES
Happy Birthday to all those celebrating birthdays in July! I hope you have an enjoyable day! Byron Black, Debbie Ferguson, Betty Illingworth, Ken Jonah, Rik ie McDonnell, Lila Mee, Shelley Quinney, Sherri Standish and Margaret Stewart.
Line Dancing
Line dancing has finished for the summer. Will resume again in September.
POOL
Pool has finished for the summer. Will resume again in the fall.
CHESTERMERE FOOD BANK
Non-perishable food donations for the Chestermere Food Bank are being accepted at Whitecappers.
CHESTERMERE OLDER ADULTS RESOURCE BOOK
The new Chestermere Older Adults Resource Book is available at the Whitecappers.
CONVERSATION CAFE: DEMENTIA
4th Monday of each month 2:00 -4:00 at the Lakeshore Manor
Enjoy a friendly conversation in a safe and welcoming space. Everyone is welcome, including care partners and people living with dementia. Support each other by sharing experiences, information and resources. Conversation Cafes have no agenda and no prescribed topic of conversation. This is simply an opportunity to make new friends who are on or have been through the dementia journey.
For further information contact Don at 403-473-1564 or email: drmontpetit@shaw.ca
PHONE BOOKS
Members Phone Books are available at Whitecappers. $1.00 each.
HARD COPIES OF THE NEWSLETTER AND CALENDAR
Whitecappers: IF you do not have access to a printer and would like a hard copy, please contact Ellen Neary.
WRITE FOR SENIORS CONNECT!
Tell your story or share an experience in the Chestermere Anchor. Columns needed for August-September. Email Don at cassidyd@telus.net for details.
ACTIVITIES PRESENTLY AVAILABLE AT WHITECAPPERS
Please consult our Whitecappers Calendar for activities and classes for June
Drop-in Coffee at the Whitecappers Saturday at 10:00 am Cancelled May 6th
Cards or Crib Do you enjoy a good game of cards or crib?? Why not come out on Wednesday and/or Saturday afternoons at 1:00 – 4:00 and play your favorite game of cards/crib with the group. They would like to see you Bridge – Thursdays at 1:00.
The Chestermere Historical Society meets the 3 rd Tuesday of the month at 1:00 Exercise Class with Julie – Fridays - 10:30.
Drop in Chair Yoga - Monday, Wednesday 11:30 and Friday 11:45 am. This class is suitable for both women and men. Walk Fit – Mondays and Wednesdays – 11:00.
Line Dancing –Tuesdays 10:30 – 11:30. Will resume in September
Carpet Bowling Mondays and Wednesdays 12:45
Quilting – Thursdays 9:30
Artisans of Chestermere – Thursdays 1:00
Pool –Fridays and Saturdays 2:00 - 4:00. Will resume in the fall.
Please let us know of anything you would like put in the newsletter . We would love to hear from you.
President: Ellen Neary
Treasurer: Sue Woods
Board Member June Marie Body
Board Mem ber Dorothy Britten
Past President: Carollyne Collier
403-813-1669
403-273-6901
403-616-2059
403-390-1534
403-807-1234
Vice President: Dawn Hovey
Secretary: Todd McBride
Board Member Karen Weyman
403-217-8831
403-816-7285
403-860-9360
Board Member Cynthia Babcock 613 291-7195
Newsletter Ellen Neary
Email: chestermerewhitecappers@shaw.ca
Phone: 403-235-2117
Website: whitecappers.ca
Facebook: Chestermere Whitecappers Association
403-813-1669