Wicked Wilhelmina reviews the Altos

Wicked Wilhelmina reviews The Altos

by Hilda Young a mourner

One of  my old friends from Manitoba is a member of the Deep River players. She frequently promotes their events by suggesting I buy tickets to see it with a group of friends. The last suggestion resulted in my husband and I attending the Saturday production of The Altos, "like the Sopranos only deeper". It was an enticing hook. On the actual day I wondered how to dress to a murder mystery dinner theatre in an church basement.We arrived just before curtain time and were escorted to our seats at the "Badda  Bango" club table.

 Little did we know that we were now part of the play as " strippers" coming to the wake for the lead character Tony Alto. 

The audience were all guests/ mourners at Tony Alto's wake.  He had died dramatically in a car bombing. The body found in the car could not be identified. The audience is quickly introduced to all the suspects who may have arranged the hit. As it is a mob funeral there is a table at the entrance with guns. The suspects include Tony's mother, Nona, who Tony had threatened to put in a nursing home, Father Flip the family priest, Toffee Alto, Tony's wife, Chris Alto, Tony's nephew and Senior Alto Tony's uncle who is under indictment with monitored movement.  After a few moments of drama “ Tony” comes back to life as a female mourner- all dressed  in black in head to toe. He reveals himself to Dr. Malaise his shrink.. The legitimate question is asked: Who is in the urn?. He answered one of the “girls” from the strip club. Now we become involved in the drama; Dr Malaise asked Tony to introduce her to our table. He quickly names  'double jointed Sue” etc but for those he does know he gives interesting names: “Bronco Bill”, is the new nickname for one of our table mates. I was  'Wicked Wilhelmina” for the evening.  Drama in the room continued as we were seated in front of the sound/ and lights control area; the curtain covering it fell down so the “hoods” had to fix it. We were served Tony's favorite meal: Italian Wedding soup,Caesar salad,Stuffed Manicotti, Gelato with biscotti between scenes. After the main course we were given cards that asked us to help solve the case. Our table guessed all the main characters. Two guessed the real culprit. However as we had a member of the Players sitting with us we did not  have any hints.- she just said two people had it correct.  The last act focused on killing people who were suspect. It was quit dramatic watching innocent people being killed with toy guns with caps-- noise level high. Finally the truth was revealed. It was not the priest who tried to “marry “ the dead- said he  was in experienced- a former member of a rival gang who was in love with Tonys wife.. It was not his mother who could not remember details. It was not his uncle or his nephew.,  The Doctor did it! She could not handle dealing with Tony. 

Over all it was a fun evening. I have a different view of the eidtor of the local paper now..

The Deep River players have lots of energy and a great sense of timing. Looking forward to their next event. 

Exploring the men's washrooms at the Marguerite centre

EXPLORING THE MEN'S WASHROOMS AT THE MARGUERITE CENTRE

by Hilda Young

The Marguerite centre in Pembroke Ontario is a former convent that has been undergone a transformation into a combination retreat centre and long term care holding ward. As the early residents of the building were women there are more female toilets than mens. However in order to obey various regulations and accommodate male guests, a few toilets have been converted, or at the very least have sign on them saying male.

At the OIW writers retreat last week there was a discussion about the general facilities at the centre. One of the men., a retired lawyer, was complaining about the water pressure in the mens shower. As I consider myself a veteran of Marguerite centre facilities ,as I had attended many functions and retreats there, mostly for females I challenged Mel on his complaint. His long time friend Norm says he always complains.. Who do I believe- a lawyer or a quiet unassuming man? Well I felt I had the reputation of the Marguerite centre to uphold! So I challenged Mel to take me to the mens washroom on the third floor, where the sleeping accommodation was arranged according to the sexes, and show me his problem! We took the stairs two at a time to get to the problem area as quickly as possible! Mel made a great production of knocking on the outside door and asking if there was anyone using the facilities..( All the other men in the group were downstairs at the time)

We boldly marched in to check out the facilities. I noted that they were more spartan than the women's as we had three bath tubs with hand held showers in each area. Our bath tub rooms were self contained with doors we could lock! I felt sorry for the poor men who had only one shower with a curtain.. And Mel was right the water pressure was low! So I almost felt sorry for my lawyer friend! I promised to tell Norm that Mel does not always exaggerate!

When we returned to the group I said we had gone to the mens washroom. Mel said it was innocent. The rest of the knowledgeable retreatants said they knew! No secrets- our characters had already been judged by the group! We could not fool anyone!

Dare to Dine- a success- WIN group raised over $2000 for Stephen Lewis foundation

The DARE TO DINE Win event was a lot of  fun. As one of the workers I learnt alot about African food, cooperation and catering! We were fortunate to use the Petawawa  Presbyterian church for our event. Several members of the group attend the church so they "hosted" the event by showing us how to do such   practical tasks as run the dishwasher, set up the tables and chairs and decorate. We were fortunate to have a token male in the kitchen clean up group! The Presbyterian church ladies are used to catering in their basement church hall so the rest of us just followed orders!

Our group hosted about 75 ladies from all over Renfrew county. The menu catered to a  North American palate as we started with appetizers :veggie tray with red pepper dip and fruit  punch.  The main course consisted of beef curry with condiments,  chickpea stew,  chicken stew and basmarti rice. To complete the course there was a green orange salad and deep fried plantain with curry dip.
Dessert was a variety of cakes and fresh fruit.

The noise level was high the entire evening as everyone wanted to talk!
Entertainment consisted of reading from the Grandmother's Necklace, and a slide show of a trip to African- Namibia.  Our  group also knows  how to shop! We provide an enticing market atmosphere as we have jewelry, pashminas, books and a silent  auction to entice the shopper.
      

Jennifer we miss you! The Marriage Enrichment attendees miss our baker!

The Marriage Enrichment course at St. Francis of Assisi  CFB Petawawa chapel continues.
Yesterday we attended the fifth session- Family relationships-past and present. It was a contemplative session as we thought back to our childhood. Bruce talked about his parents and I commented on mine. However we did not reminise about the most important aspect of his mothers love- her  home baking and hand knit or crochet  clothes.  I miss the home baking as it was a special part of the family dynamics. However Clara Hanna died in 2005 and mentally she died in1999 when her husband died.

It made us  appreciate even more the gift of hospitality that Bob and Jennifer Lay had given us the first 4 classes. Both were busy last night so we were hosted by two male padres! One said that "someone" made
the store bought apple strudel and donuts!
Bring back Jennifer!
In all seriousness we appreciate the hospitality and would willingly bring baking for everyone as the social break helps the mood and creates community within the group of attendees.
Yes family relationships matter to any married couple.
In the military the " family" is the local community as they tend to rely on each other.      
 

MARRIAGE ENRICHMENT COURSE WEEK 4- the enticement is the homebaking

Image via WikipediaThe Marriage Enrichment course being held at St. Francis of Assisi  has continued to have good attendance. The formula of food works well! I go anticipating the good home baking of Jennifer Lay, one of the chaplain's wife, who is a leader. This week we were given a fruit flan cheesecake with home made graham cracker- oatmeal base! Last week it was home made fresh cinnamon buns. The week before it was Sex in a Pan! I am surprised that Bob and Jennifer Lay are so svelt! .
The course participants vary for almost newly weds to those of us in the 30 plus range. As we stay in couples there is not much discussion between the groups other than at snack time! We are fortunate in having such generous leaders who donate time to prepare a pleasant atmosphere with small tables lit by tea lights. Our break with home baking and coffee, regular and herbal teas is the highlight of the evening as some of the discussion for the Marriage course can be intense .

we are continuing to follow the  8 week course based on the video and manuals from  www:themarriagecourse.ca.
so far we have focused on Building Strong Fouondations, the Art of Communication, Resolving Conflict and this week The Power of Forgiveness. Next week we will focus on The Impact of Family_ Past and Present..

However I am looking forward to the home baking!
We have had Bob Lay. Shaun Turner and Raachid Khadij  as chaplain support.

WIN WOMEN'S INITIATIVE NETWORK OF RENFREW COUNTY DARE TO DINE EVENT

The Petawawa Grannies will be hosting us with their 'Grandmothers to Grandmothers' fundraising campaign, all proceeds going to the Stephen Lewis Foundation. 

Expect an evening of exotic flavours as the Petawawa Grannies cater an African dinner. The 'Dare to Dine' menu includes Veggies with Red Pepper Dip, Vegetarian African Stew of sweet potatoes and chick peas, Curried Beef, Chicken Stew, Sweet Potato Biscuits and various desserts including fresh fruit, banana coconut, etc.

As the evening is a fundraiser for the Grandmothers' humanitarian work in Africa, there will be items for sale: beautiful handmade Kazuri jewelry, pashminas from the Orient and 'Grandmothers' Necklace' books and cards. There will also be a silent auction and a Chinese auction.

As you shop or browse the African souvenir display, there will be live musical entertainment and also a slide show of scenes from Africa. 

Lunafest part 2: A special variety of short films for 2010=2011

Algonquin college Pembroke,Ontario hosted Lunafest 2010-2011 on Tuesday March 8th International Women's day. This post is the second half of my comments on these films.
Thembi's Diary is very poignant as it is 19 year old Thembi recording an audio diary of her struggle to live with AIDS. The "voice" is Thembi's however the "visual" part of the film is animated.
Mother of Many is also animated. It shows various cultural ways a midwife delivers a baby. Perhaps the most poignant movie is "Irene" aboui a 92 year old grandmother who suffers from Alzheimer's but struggles to keep her independence.   It was filmed n Glasgow UK.
Miracle Lady is another animated short filmed in Jerusalem with subtitles. It is a tale of two women who spend their lives waiting.
The last short film" Love on the line" is animated- two star crossed lovers communicate by  telegraph.

I enjoy the variety of short films i n this Luna fest. It  brings different perspectives to the way women think  All the stories have universal appeal and  all make the audience think

 Looking forward to next year.Plus we were all given Luanbars to sample!