[From the Ontario District's newsletter, The Trillium, issue 59-02, April - June, 2005 , Waldo Redekop, editor.]

Peninsula Division report

By George Staples, Manager Peninsula Division

On March 8 the Burlington Chapter hosted a very successful Novice Contest. A record was set as we had 26 entries covering Super Novice, Novice, Senior, VLQ, and Mini-Chorus categories. Every Peninsula chapter participated in the contest. Congratulations to all the winners.

We had 136 members attend the contest. Our judges were The Fixx, who did an excellent job and thrilled all the members with their performance after the contest.

At the recent spring convention, we had three chapters compete. Congratulations to Simcoe, Niagara Falls and Grimsby. The Hamilton Chapter, as retiring district champions, presented their swan songs and did an excellent performance. They received a standing ovation for their presentation.

The quartets Mirage, Harbour Lights, Quaternity, and Skedaddle had members representing the Peninsula division.

Burlington

• May 17- sing out at Billings Manor - Senior Residence.

• June 16-17 - Burlington Sound of Music will help with the parking duties and the parade.

• July 13 - Annual sing out at Burlington Bandshell.

• Aug. 5-7 - Festival of Friends fund raiser.

Grimsby

• May 3 - Chorus to sing at Wilf Worley Funeral Service.

• June 3 - Sing out at St. Andrews Church.

• June 25 - Strawberry Social at the Grimsby Pump House.

• Congratulations to Bruce Herdman who received the Barbershop of Renown award at the spring convention.

• Had a very successful show, which was held April 9. Guests quartets were Back in Time and Mirage.

Hamilton

• Apr. 29 - Harbour Lights quartet represents Harbourtown Sound at the kick off of the Hamilton Children Telethon (media coverage by CHTV Hamilton).

• May 6 - Harbourtown Sound appears as guests on the Orpheus Choir Gala at Tansley United Church, Burlington.

• June 3-5 - Chorus will attend HCN for coaching and sing Saturday Night.

• June 11 - First chapter show to be held at Park Bible Church, Burlington. Two shows at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Guests are The Fixx and Hamilton All Star Jazz Band.

• July 2 - The Sound will perform live singing “O Canada” at the Hamilton Ticat home opener.

• Sept. - Planning a guest night and Cabaret evening, in line with the “U Can Sing Too" program.

Niagara Falls

• Apr. 2 - Two new members joined the chapter.

• Apr. 20 - Performed at Kiwanis Music Festival, Niagara Falls.

• May 20 - Will perform at Kiwanis Music Festival, St. Catharines.

Oakville

• Feb. - Attended the “For the Love of the Arts” this event in support of a new Arts Building.

• Feb. 26 - Annual show a smash success, guest quartet The Fixx.

• New director Anne Prins is dusting off some old repertoire and introducing some new music.

• June 24-26 - Planning to sing and work for the Oakville Waterfront Festival.

• A cheque for $2,500 was presented to the Child Development Centre on behalf of Harmonize For Speech.

St. Catharines

• May 2 - Chorus sang at Erie Wilson Funeral service.

• May 14 - Annual Show at CAW Hall 2 p.m. Hamilton Harbourtown Sound will be guest chorus.

• Aug. 13 - Annual Corn Roast.

Simcoe

• Mar. 5 - Benefit Show in Woodstock raised $2,400 for the General Hospital.

• Apr 21 - Sing out at Heritage Lodge.

• Apr. 28 - Sing out for Simcoe Lions Club at Simcoe Auditorium.

• May 6 - Sing out for Norview Lodge.

• June 11 - Annual performance Old Windham Church.

• June 29 - Large Benefit Show for Simcoe Panorama organized by Ray Danley.

• Simcoe will be the host chorus for the fall convention in Brantford. k