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The Silver Dart

Our February speaker, Honorary Colonel Gerald P J Haddon, recently accepted an award from the Prime Minister recognizing the achievements of his grandfather J. A. D. McCurdy, Canada’s first pilot, who piloted The Silver Dart and eventually became Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia. Colonel Haddon has written a book about his grandfather and will talk about his career. John Chattoe will introduce him

Paul Nelson is still looking for someone to understudy him on the website. The idea may scare those of you who are nervous about modern technology and computers but Paul is very knowledgeable and I am sure can overcome your concerns. If you are interested in exploring this opportunity send him an e-mail at pnelson1941@hotmail.com

At the last meeting of the Executive Committee we approved a motion put forward by John Beales to create a small committee comprising the Vice President, the Chair of the Speaker’s Committee and the Chair of the Activities Committee together with the Web Master to develop  and monitor the content of the website.

Three guests were welcomed at our January meeting and we hope they will decide to become members. While we have done some promotion, experience shows that personal contact is the most effective way of obtaining new members so I urge you to go ahead and invite a friend to a meeting and introduce him to our members and give him a free coffee and a Timbit.

This year marks our 25th Anniversary and the Activities Committee is planning something special to mark the occasion – but they haven’t finished planning yet, so more on that, later.

Gerry Sutton

Unlikely Pilgrimage

THE UNLIKELY PILGRIMAGE OF HAROLD FRY is a charming book by first time author Rachel Joyce. Harold, a retired beer salesman, lives a quiet life with his wife Maureen in  Kingsbridge in the south of England. One day he receives a letter from Queenie Hennessy, a former co-worker. She is dying of cancer in a hospice in Berwick, a town close to the Scottish border. Rather than drop his letter of compassion in the nearest mailbox, Harold becomes convinced that by hand delivering the letter and trekking the 600 miles or so on foot, he can somehow delay the fatal progress of Queenie’s cancer. Thus begins an incredible journey for the ill prepared Harold. As the novel takes us through the English countryside, we meet an assortment of colourful characters and experience the highs and lows of Harold’s long walk. Finally we discover that, like many pilgrims before him, at the end, Harold will have gotten to know himself a lot better.

QUARTET

Reviewed by Harold Erlendson

Quartet

This movie probably will not appeal to the acne age group but the Probus age group will love it. The action takes place in a Senior’s home for retired classical musicians situated in the idyllic English country side. To help finance the home , they are putting on a fund raising performance. The plot sounds a lot like the old Judy Garland/Mickey Rooney films in which they inevitably say “Lets put on a show”, and it is. The home is abuzz because of the new resident “Jean” who was a famous opera star, wonderfully played by Dame Maggie Smith. Also, at one time, three of the other residents sang with her in a quartet. A reunion of the group would be perfect for the concert, but Jean does not want to perform because she is not in top form. Predictably, she finally agrees and the film ends with a stirring performance of the quartet from Rigoletto.

This was Dustin Hoffman’s directorial debut and he handles the subject of aging and fading talent in an uplifting way. The four main characters are played by veteran British actors who know how to act. Many of the other actors in the home are played by real life musicians. The final credits show their pictures now and when they were in their prime. This is a sweet, sentimental movie that I am sure you will enjoy.

LES MISERABLES

 

Les Mis

Many readers probably have seen the stage production which came to Toronto several years ago. The story is based on the Victor Hugo novel that takes place in 19th century France. It is an extravagant melodrama of poverty, injustice and suffering made as an Opera. There is not one word of spoken dialogue. Every line is sung by actors who are not known as singers, such as Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway and Hugh Jackman. There was no lip syncing or voice dubbing. The movie has been nominated for awards and probably will win in some categories. But I did not enjoy the experience. It was far too long at 2 hrs and 37 min. If you want to smile or feel uplifted when you exit a movie, this is not for you.

Salute to Vienna

On New Year’s Day we went to the Roy Thompson Hall to see the Salute to Vienna. It was excellent, with ballet and champion ballroom dancers as well as the orchestra featuring waltzes and songs from operettas. It was the first time we had been to the hall since it was renovated and the acoustics and seating arrangements have been vastly improved. It was a pleasant experience. If you want to go next year book early as it is always a sold out performance.

 Gerry Sutton