[From the Ontario District's newsletter, The Trillium, issue 60-04, October - December, 2006 , Waldo Redekop, editor.]

Final Heartland report

By Don Coughlin, Heartland Division Co-ordinator

Wasn’t that a good convention that we had in Kingston? Thanks to all those that participated in the contest. We really enjoyed the hospitality rooms and the different groups that came and sang in them.

Here are some of the activities that are taking place in the Heartland Division.

The Guelph Chapter had 12 members attend the convention. They had five members sing in quartets and more sing in choruses. We are proud of them all. Their new quartet, Vocal Ignition, sang great and was the mic testers for the evening contest.

The chapter has planned a number of singing engagements during the Christmas season. Music is nearly off the page for their 2007 show and music selections have been made for 2008. They continue to work on new members and have just brought in four new ones.

The Kitchener-Waterloo Chapter had 37 men on stage at Kingston and had a lot of fun with their hospitality room. They once again held a successful Dawg House Nite. December 9 they will present two performances of “A Musical Sleigh Ride” at Calvary United Church in St. Jacobs. They are going to participate in a benefit concert to help raise monies for the K-W Symphony. They will continue with their Christmas sing outs at the retirement homes.

The Mount Forest Chapter have just completed a successful annual show featuring The Ballagh Bunch and The Leith Singers, a group of young children (ages 6-17) . Christmas sing outs have been arranged. The chapter will join the chapters of the Western Division in Seaforth on November 26 as they sing at the United Church for their annual Christmas concert. Eight couples enjoyed their weekend in Kingston at the convention with some taking part in the quartet contest.

The Owen Sound Chapter held their annual show in October with good results. On October 24 they held a special guest night that saw 13 new men join them. The concept is new for the Owen Sound chapter as they have invited them to help do six concerts. They were given a learning CD with several Christmas carols and secular songs to learn. The chapter will hold their annual installation banquet this year in Meaford which is a new venue.

This will be my last report for the Heartland Division. I have enjoyed my three years as the coordinator for the division. The membership of this division have welcomed me to all of their chapter meetings and special events that I have attended. It has been fun.

I take this opportunity to wish everyone Season’s Greetings.    k