A Lifelong Connection: Bernie Bonk’s Journey with the Boys & Girls Club of London by Shelley Wood Bernie Bonk’s relationship with the Boys & Girls Club of London began when he started coming to the club as a young boy in the 1960s. He remembers when programs were run out of the small house on Simcoe Street and how he later joined the club’s new location on Horton Street in the late 1960s to take part in the boxing program, an experience that also gave him access to the pool when it opened in 1974. Many years later, in the latter part of his career, Bernie’s doctor advised him to become more active for health reasons. That nudge brought him back to the place that shaped so much of his childhood. Once he fully retired, he became a daily participant in Horton Street 50+ Centre programming, where he swims, takes exercise classes, learned ukulele, enjoys the fitness room, and has found a strong sense of community. As Bernie puts it, “I like the pool. I like the fitness room. There’s nothing here I don’t like.” Bernie says staying active is important, but it’s the friendships, warmth, and genuine care from fellow members that truly make the club special for him. He was especially excited about the Jolly Jamboree held December 17th, a festive gathering complete with entertainment and a holiday meal that brings the community together. For just $25 a month, older adults can participate in a wide range of activities including aquatics, exercise classes, woodworking, music programs, card groups, and social events. Anyone aged 50+ is welcome to drop in any Monday at 10:00 am for a tour of the facility and programs.
AlvegoRoot Theatre’s Ten Minute Play Festival “A lot can happen in ten minutes,” says Adam Corrigan Holowitz, director, playwright, dramaturg and sometimes actor, and founder of the AlvegoRoot Theatre. “Eight local playwrights have penned new ten-minute plays which will be fully staged in a tight eighty-minute performance at AlvegoRoot Theatre’s Ten Minute Play Festival,” he explains. “Playwrights’ imaginations have run wild this year with themes of artificial intelligence, drag, time travel, death’s waiting room, and so much more!” The performances will run from February 27 to March 1, 2026, at Manor Park Memorial Hall, 11 Briscoe Street West. Tickets are available at alvegoroottheatre.com.
Meanwhile, Adam reflects on high- lights of the theatre’s 2025 season: “We took on the artistic challenge of presenting a husband-wife duo of programming this fall with James Reaney’s short story Sleigh Without Bells: A Donnellys Story , turning it into a one-man show, and with Colleening, the Letters & Poetry of Colleen Thi- baudeau. Performing Sleigh Without Bells was very important to us because there remains so much misinformation and demonization of the Donnellys in
art and pop culture, and Reaney’s work brings both a truthful and human perspective to them. Colleen was known to say that she did not think her poetry could be set to music, and Stephen Holowitz and Oliver Whitehead cheerfully proved her wrong. Hearing her poems set to music was a powerful experience. We feel very privileged to have been part of Colleening 2025 , a grassroots celebration of the centenary of Colleen.” Looking Forward to 2026 In addition to the 10 Minute Play Festival , AlvegroRoot Theatre will kick off the 2026 season with a remount of Sleigh Without Bells on February 20th and 21st. “The rest of the season will be announced soon, and we will continue to create plays that show the strengths and stretch the boundaries of what theatre can do. We proudly tell London stories, develop local plays and hire local artists,” says Adam. Visit alvegoroottheatre.com and follow the theatre on Facebook for updates. Photo: Adam in Sleigh Without Bells. BESPOKE, WHEEL-THROWN POTTERY FUNCTIONAL, BEAUTIFUL PIECES FOR EVERYDAY USE
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