[From the Ontario District's newsletter, The Trillium, issue 61-02, April - June, 2007 , Waldo Redekop, editor.]

Peninsula Division planning summer activities

By George Staples, Peninsula Division Co-ordinator

The Peninsula Division thanks the Ontario District for having the spring convention in Collingwood. A great selection. We also thank the Barrie Chapter for being a great host.

The Peninsula Division was well represented at the convention. We had three choruses competing Simcoe, Niagara Falls, Oakville. We also had three quartets.

Grimsby Chapter
The chapter hosted the Peninsula  Division’s annual Big Wheel Contest which was a big success. The Peninsula Division chapters had 102 members in attendance.

Bob’s Yer Uncle and the 20-member Grimsby Secondary School  vocal ensemble helped the chorus stage Grimsby’s 40th anniversary show. The Grimsby chorus began life as a Centennial project in 1967.

The annual Strawberry Social is planned for Saturday June 23 in conjunction with the Town’s Canada Day celebration. Free entertainment and tasty ice cream and strawberry treats at the Old Pump House in Grimsby.

Plans are in the works for Outreach 2007 which will run for three weeks from mid-September to early October. Outreach 2006  was a good success as they had seven new members on stage in this year’s show.

Hamilton Chapter
May 7 Planning to be part of McMaster Children Hospital Telethon. A financial contribution will be made to the Speech Pathology Department.

June 2 Annual show with Spring Rosie.

Sept 21-23 A retreat weekend is being planned for membership fellowship with singing and some outside coaching.

Current Membership is 44 with three potential members in the audition phase.

Niagara Falls Chapter
The chapter has relocated and now meets at the St. John Ambulance Building, 5734 Glenholme Ave. (corner of High St.) at 7:30 p.m..

Planning a Tag and Gag  Contest after convention.

Mar 15 Participated in Big Wheel Contest.

Chorus competed at spring convention. They also had two quartets, Vintage and Forward Motion competing.

June 23 Annual show at the Oh Canada Eh Dinner Theatre on Lundy’s Lane in Niagara Falls at 1 p.m.. Featured Guests are The Timbretones.

June 24  Grand River Sunset Cruise Dinner Party.

Two of their members will compete with TNL in Denver.

Oakville Chapter
Mar 15 Attended the Big Wheel Contest and won the Mini Chorus Trophy.

Apr 24 Sing out at Wellington Square United Church for the Skyway Club.

Apr 28 Annual show titled “Thanks for the Memories” was held at the Glen Abbey United Church Oakville. Our featured guest were the Canadian recording artists The Essentials.

May 16 Bowling for Barbershop with all proceeds going to Harmonize For Speech. The chorus will entertain.

June 11 Oakville barbecue will be held at the home of  John and Doris Hart.

June 22-24 Will assist at the Oakville Waterfront Festival.

June 27 Sing out at Burlington Central Park.

St. Catharines Chapter
May 5 Informal sing out at Newark Neighbours Breakfast.

May 12 Annual show titled “Sentimental Journey” with Bob’s Yer Uncle as their quest quartet.

July 18 Sing out at “Variety Night by the Canal” in Welland.

Aug 11 Annual corn roast at Wilson Farm.

Simcoe Chapter
Apr 20-22  Ray Danley and the Gentlemen of Harmony rode into town dressed as cowboys and won the Ontario District chorus championship in Collingwood.

Apr 25 A partial chorus entertained volunteers at Simcoe’s largest retirement home.

May 2 Sing out for 350 women at the District Lioness Dinner.

May 12 Annual Ladies Night at the Norfolk Country Club.

June 16 Spring show at Old Windham Church in Simcoe.

Nov 10 Annual show featuring OC Times at Simcoe Composite School Auditorium.   k