Boomers and Beyond June 2025

EYOND B oomers

B and

June 2025 • Issue 61 Celebrating the 55+ Community of Elgin County

Letter from the Editor

First, get involved in your community. It doesn’t matter how young or old you are, your community is your home. The more you put into it, the more it gives back. Volunteer, mentor, pick up trash, join a committee, it all matters. Plus, it’s a great way to meet people. It’s true what they say: it’s not just what you know, it’s who you know. Second, work hard, but don’t measure your life by your stuff. Sure, some things make life easier (and more fun), but in the end, it’s the time spent with family and friends that leaves a lasting impact. If you can pay the bills, take a yearly vacation and still have dinner with your family, you’re ahead of the game. Next, don’t take time for granted. It’s a luxury not everyone gets. Visit loved ones. Learn their stories. Know your family history. Someday, those chances might disappear and with them, part of your own story. Finally, support local. Yes, I know it’s tempting to have socks, spatulas, and snacks delivered by drone in under ten minutes. But local businesses are the heart of our towns. They sponsor the teams, hire the neighbours, and give our communities character. Support them, and they’ll support you. Oh, and one last thing: make your bed and wear sunscreen. Trust me on the sunscreen.

It’s June, which means through- out the land, the song Pomp and Circumstance will be in the air, and no, The Macho Man Randy Savage is not making his way down the aisle with the lovely Miss Elizabeth. It’s graduation season!

I’m a proud graduate of Fanshawe College, class of never- you-mind-the-year, with a diploma in Marketing. The big hit on the radio at the time was Everybody’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen) by Baz Luhrmann. If you’ve never heard it, it’s less of a song and more of a long-winded life advice monologue wrapped in music, with the takeaway being, spoiler alert, wear sunscreen. Over the years, I’ve seen my fair share of graduation speeches. One of my favourites is Admiral William McRaven’s 2014 speech to the University of Texas. The crux of it? Make your bed. That’s it. Start each day with a task completed. It’s simple advice, and worth a watch on YouTube if you’ve got 10 minutes and need a motivational kick. All this got me thinking, what advice would I give to new grads, or frankly, anyone? Here’s what I’ve come up with:

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Project Lifesaver Launches in Elgin County to Help Locate Vulnerable Individuals A new program aimed at protecting some of the com- munity’s most vulnerable residents has officially launched in Elgin County. Project Lifesaver is a joint initiative between Victim Services Elgin, the Elgin OPP, St. Thomas Police Service, and Aylmer Police Service. It uses radio frequency technology and a coordinated police response to help locate individuals who may be prone to wandering due to cognitive conditions such as Alzheimer’s, dementia, or autism. The initiative gives peace of mind to families and caregivers. Participants wear a small battery-operated bracelet on their wrist or ankle, which emits a unique FM signal every second of the day. If a participant goes missing, caregivers notify police, who then activate a trained response team using specialized tracking equipment to locate the person quickly, often within 30 minutes.

The bracelets cost approximately $475, which includes the device and one year’s worth of batteries. Batteries must be replaced every two months. “We do the battery change bi-monthly, either by visiting the client or having them come to us,” says Natalie. According to Natalie, Project Lifesaver originated in the United States and has been adopted by several Ontario communities. The idea to bring it to Elgin County began with a conversation initiated by the OPP. “They reached out about a year and a half ago,” she says. “We connected with Aylmer Police and St. Thomas Police, and everyone was on board.” Fundraising efforts led by Inclusive Communities helped cover the cost of transmitters and tracking equipment. “William Barber did a fantastic job reaching out to service clubs so we could get this off the ground,” Natalie notes. While GPS options exist, Natalie says the FM-based technology in Project Lifesaver offers key advantages: “It’s more reliable in areas where GPS signals might drop. And because it’s worn securely on the wrist or ankle, it’s more likely to be on the person when it’s needed most.” To learn more or to begin an application, caregivers can email projectlifesaver@victimserviceselgin.com, or call Victim Services Elgin at 519-631-3182. “This is a program we’re really proud to be part of,” says Natalie. “It’s about helping families and bringing people home safely.”

“This program utilizes radio technology and a coordinated police response to quickly locate individuals who may be prone to wandering,” explains Natalie Redman, Executive Director of Victim Services Elgin. “The bracelet isn’t easily removed, which increases the likelihood that if they go missing, the person will be found still wearing it.”

Doris And Ivy In The Home

June 18 to July 12

A little love, some sordid gossip, and lotsa whoopee in the compost heap! Written by Norm Foster

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Volunteer Elgin Rebuilds a Culture of Community Connection When Tif Smith talks about volunteers, there’s no mistaking her passion. As Treasurer of Volunteer Elgin, she sees firsthand how essential volunteers are to the well-being of communities across Elgin County. “At our core, Volunteer Elgin is a collective of community organizations coming together to promote volunteerism within Elgin County,” says Tif. “Some of us are volunteer professionals; others are executive directors, coordinators or volunteers themselves. While we all come from unique backgrounds, we ALL recognize the role volunteers play in the community — and for many of us, our organizations depend on them.” Volunteer Elgin’s mission is twofold: to promote volunteerism and to serve as a platform where volunteers and organizations can connect. Its newly launched website, www.volunteerelgin.org, is already making it easier for community members to find ways to give back. “Before this, Elgin County didn’t have a hub -- no local spot or online portal where people could go to see what volunteer opportunities were available. They’d have to jump from one organization’s website to another or try sifting through job boards not tailored to volunteering,” Tif explains. “We’re trying to bridge that gap.” The Volunteer Elgin website offers a growing job board where organizations can post opportunities and where One Bar. One Act of Kindness. One Step Toward Change.

individuals can search based on their interests, age group, or preferred location. Whether it’s a student looking to get involved in youth programming or a retiree hoping to help out at an animal shelter, there’s something for everyone. “Through the website, we want to create an easy-to-use, streamlined process for new volunteers to find roles that work for them,” says Tif. In addition to its online presence, Volunteer Elgin recently hosted its first Volunteer Fair in May at the St. Thomas Public Library. “A big thanks to everyone who came out and supported us,” she adds. “It was a great first step, and we’d love to see more events like this across the county. Our goal is to be bigger next year with a presence in Aylmer, East Elgin and the western parts of the county too.” Volunteer Elgin isn’t new; it’s a revival of a once-thriving group of volunteer professionals that formed nearly 30 years ago. “From what I’ve heard,” says Tif, “It was a very positive group — members leaned on each other for support, resources and conversations about volunteer engagement.” But like many things, the group faded over time. “It dissolved just before COVID, as membership decreased and some core members retired,” Tif explains. “But the hiatus didn’t last long. In late 2023, as we were all coming out of the pandemic and saw the volunteer need higher than ever, emails started circling about bringing it back.” When the group reformed, the structure stayed simple, but the goals evolved. “Same organizations, new faces,” says Tif. “We had real conversations about what Volunteer Elgin could become. We agreed very early on that our top priority is promoting volunteerism in Elgin County.” First Class Windows, Doors & Siding Making Window Buying a PANELESS Experience!

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The revived group envisions a connected and inclusive community strengthened by dedicated volunteers and a vibrant non-profit sector. “To do that, we want to empower volunteers and provide support to the organizations that rely on them,” Tif explains. “We are all struggling with recruitment, and the solution is working together. I know it’s a cliché, but we are better together!” Membership is open to any non-profit organization serving Elgin County that works with volunteers. “We love hearing from anyone with experience in volunteer work who understands the unique landscape it comes with,” she adds. “We believe our strength comes from diversity. We value everyone’s input and ideas.” Volunteer Elgin also welcomes people of all ages and skill levels looking to get involved. “Yes, yes and yes,” Tif enthuses. “We have something for everyone.” Their next steps include continued promotion of their online portal and gathering feedback from member organizations to shape future initiatives. “We want to know what kind of additional support or services they’re looking for,” Tif says. “This isn’t about competition -- it’s about creating a network that lifts everyone up.” For those looking to get involved, the easiest way is through the website or their Facebook page at facebook. com/volunteerelgin. “We’re just getting started,” Tif says. “But we’re already seeing the difference that collaboration can make.” AD SAVE DIRECT RESPONSE MEDIA GROUP 240 Wyecroft Road, Oakville, ON L6K 2G7 1 866 993-0600 drmg.com RECT ESPONSE EDIA ROUP Road, Oakville, ON L6K 2G7 00 drmg.com

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PSFT Presents: Doris and Ivy in the Home by Peri Hayes

Liz Gilroy, Artistic Director at the Port Stanley Festival Theatre (PSFT), is presently immersed as Director in Norm Foster’s Doris and Ivy in the Home . This narrative focuses on three characters: Doris, Ivy and Arthur. Liz passionately voices, “It is exciting to present a comedy with older actors and give veteran actors an opportunity to be the leads, not just ‘sidekicks’ with some funny ‘one-liners’.” As Liz proceeds to share, “All three actors — Debbie Collins, Brian Young and Alison Lawrence — are exceptionally talented, and have worked across the country. They are also Norm Foster experts, having acted in many of Norm’s plays. They understand Norm’s comedy, and they are great comedians who are also capable of capturing the heart of his characters. Debbie originated the role of Doris, and we are very lucky to have her. I have worked with all three actors, and I was delighted that they all said ‘yes!’ to joining the team at PSFT for our 2025 season.” Esteemed playwright, Norm Foster, offers the background of this story: “The inspiration for Doris and Ivy in the Home came from a play I had written years ago called Jonas and Barry in the Home . I thought it might be nice to see two women in the lead roles, so I wrote a completely different story for Doris and Ivy. It has a cast of three, two women and one man.”

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Dark Matter Toys and Collectibles celebrates their 3rd anniversary July 27th!

Journey back to your childhood By Staci Rae Stepping through the door of Dark Matter Toys and Collectibles is like stepping back in time. Whether you grew up in the 70s, 80s, or 90s, you are sure to wax nostalgic upon entering this unique store. I defy you to walk into the store and not say, “I remember those!” or “I had that as a child!” I don’t think it can be done. Inside, you’ll find an impressive collection of toys, collectibles, vinyl, video games and more from the past. The collection features

pieces mostly from the 70s, 80s, and 90s, with some pieces from the 60s and the 2000s as well. Whether you were into WWF wrestling, Strawberry Shortcake, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Batman, Star Wars, or GI Joe, Dark Matter has something to help you scratch that nostalgic itch. “It’s a place of joy and happiness and awesomeness!” says owner Craig Lawrence enthusiastically. Craig is a big kid at heart, and his passion for bringing childhood memories back for his customers shows in everything he does. “I love bringing joy to my customers,” he says. “Helping them to relieve experiences, hearing their stories – that’s why I do this.” Craig is also a big believer in giving back to his community, and he strives to be engaged in the community in as many ways as possible, whether it’s through participation in Free Comic Book Day or by creating an eye-catching float for the Santa Claus Parade each year. For Craig, it’s not the monetary value of a piece that is the most important thing. “I’m happy to see odd things come in,” he says. “Something doesn’t have to be valuable to be awesome!” Craig is always looking for items to buy for the store as well, so if you have some vintage toys or collectibles collecting dust in your basement, bring them in. “Everyone’s welcome,” says Craig. “I love this town and I hope they support me like I support them.” Dark Matter Toys and Collectibles is located at 127 Ross Street.

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Page 16 Hometown St. Thomas • June 2019 With rehearsals beginning on the 29th of last month and lasting two and a half weeks, the close-knit cast and crew are looking forward to sharing this story with the community. Liz enthusiastically concludes, “I have wanted to present this play on our stage for the last two seasons, and I can’t wait for our audience to finally see it.” 432 Talbot Street • St. Thomas Open 7 days • www.jenningsfurniture.com Diffusers A Parisian perfumery what excites him about presenting this production at PSFT: “Well, PSFT has always been good to me. They have produced many of my shows, and I love the town of Port Stanley. In fact, I used to own a lakefront condo/ cottage in Port Stanley.” As Norm thoughtfully continues, “Liz Gilroy is doing a fantastic job as the Artistic Director of the Theatre; I’ve known Liz for many years. I would also like to mention that a good friend of mine is in the cast, Debbie Collins, who was in the very first production of Doris and Ivy in the Home in 2022.” Jennings furniture & design Since 1885 with a large selection of sophisticated designs.

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Dutton Unveils Unique Cenotaph Honouring Local Veterans

The small community of Dutton has a powerful new symbol of remembrance — an accessible one that honours local veterans with dignity and artistic distinction. A newly installed cenotaph now stands at Sons of Scotland Park, 1 Scotland Street, thanks in large part to the vision and determination of Blair Ferguson, who championed the project from its earliest days. The cenotaph, delivered at the end of April, is no ordinary monument. Weighing in at 5,000 pounds, the granite structure has been crafted into a large bench inviting visitors to sit, reflect, and read the names of the fallen engraved around its base. A vacant space in the structure ensures it is wheelchair accessible, reinforcing the inclusive spirit of the design. Topping the cenotaph are powder-coated aluminum poppies, alongside a sculpted WWI helmet with the Dove of Peace emerging from it. The inside stones list the conflicts in which local residents served and died: World War I, World War II, Korea, and Afghanistan, while also talking about the important role Canada has in peacekeeping. Blair described seeing the cenotaph finally in place as a mix of “great relief” and “pride” — not just for himself, but for the whole community. “The community really came forward and made it happen,” he emphasizes, citing everyone, from individuals who gave $50 to one couple who contributed $10,000. Local groups such as the Wallacetown Optimist Club and the Lions Club, and

businesses, including McNeil Insurance, Tall Tales Café, and Paul the Barber, all played a role in bringing the project to life.

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Living in the Heart of St. Thomas

War soldier awarded the Victoria Cross. “That’s what got me started,” he recalls. But the project quickly grew in scope. As Blair researched more deeply, he discovered that over 30 local men died in World War I and another 14 in World War II. “They all needed to be recognized,” he says. Now, with the monument in place, Dutton finally has a central focal point for its Remembrance Day services. While a ceremony was held last year without the structure present, this year’s event will be significant. “It will be extra special for sure,” says Blair. Though the project is complete, ongoing support is still needed. Donations will help with maintenance, such as resealing the concrete every two years and replacing high-quality flags as required. Contributions can be made through the Dunwich-Dutton municipal office, either by cheque, in person, or via e-transfer. Blair is now shifting his energy to another community project — the Holy Angels Church restoration in St. Thomas, but he sees the cenotaph as a deeply meaningful achievement. “I’m just happy that the men who gave their lives are finally recognized in their home town. While they may have markers overseas, the whole idea of a cenotaph is an empty tomb,” he notes. “They now have that recognition on their home soil.” HIGHLANDS APARTMENTS.CA

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Boomers and Beyond – Elgin • June 2025 Page 9

Volunteer of the Month: Larry Needham by Peri Haye s

Sponsored By Royal Oak Senior Living The St. Thomas Public Library Board provides counsel to the Library, with their monthly meetings held at this establishment from September until June. Larry Needham, proud member on the Board and Chairman of the Advocacy Committee, introduces, “I have been involved ever since I came to St. Thomas 34 years ago, and I always wanted to be on the Library Board. I coached for my kids while they were growing up, and it was when they went to university that this position on the Board was being advertised. I put my name in and was selected; this was about three years ago.” Concerning the evolving Advocacy Committee, Larry offers, “I have been in this role for about nine months. There wasn’t an active Advocacy Committee prior to this, and what we are aiming to do in this formative stage is define what this advocacy means. We are empowering the Library in a variety of ways, including with one of many programs which is called VOLT.” Insightful statistics are utilized as a means to hone in on the economic value of the Library to the City of St. Thomas. Using VOLT’s analysis, formal and informal presentations about the benefits of the local Library are prepared with care. Larry enthuses about his volunteer service, “I find the value of the Library, seeing this space as one of the keys to the community. The Library’s motto is ‘We Connect’: to information, groups and programs, the Maker’s Lab, the internet and online courses -- the list goes on. As a regular user of the Library, I previously knew merely one-quarter of their extensive resources. It is incredible, the layers that this Library has. The most exciting part for me is to find these supports, and then promote them to the community.” While discussing the benefits to being on the Board, Larry earnestly voices, “It’s the impact -- we are involved in something that impacts the community in a huge way. You can walk into the Library and realize how many different people are using the space across all spectrums. It’s a community hub, and I

think supporting that and being a member on the Board of Directors is great for seeing first-hand what we create here. Through the depth that the Library has and the educational opportunities, so much is fostered. This is what we are part of; this is why we do this.” For those interested in applying, the Board of Directors presently has an open seat. Refer to the City of St. Tho- mas’ website for postings regarding available positions: stthomas.ca. Visit stthomaspubliclibrary.ca/library-board for further infor- mation about the Board of Directors. Moreover, inquir- ies are invited by email to CEO, Heather Robinson, at hrobinson@stthomaspubliclibrary.ca.

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Yoga is a powerful tool for supporting physical strength, building mental clarity and creating meaningful relation- ships while encouraging self-care habits. At Tru For U in St. Thomas, a range of yoga classes are designed for various levels of fitness. Kelly Hovorka is a retired nurse, with her background in geriatric and neuropsychiatry. She is both Yin and Restorative Certified, and began practicing yoga at Tru For U approximately ten years ago: “From the beginning, I felt the warmth of Tru: the teachers, the inclusivity, being such a supportive and loving community.” Kelly is one of Tru For U’s inspiring teachers who instruct these classes, with others including: Kris Bannerman, Cathy Casagrande, Sarah Collier, Anne Gray-Hiddink, Natalie Kanellis, Mercedes Lander, Nancy Lawrence, Annette Mellor, Heather Ross and April Stirling. Tru For U offers a number of respective classes for seniors, including Yang Yin, Good Night Sleep Tight, Flow, Detox Flow and Fundamentals. Certain classes are instructed in a hot atmosphere, while their Yin and Restorative sessions take place in a climate with reduced temperature. Props are also utilized for support in the latter, such as blankets, blocks, bolsters and straps. As Kelly details, “This calming, introspective class blends the long-held, meditative stretches of Yin yoga with the nurturing, supportive poses of Restorative yoga. Through stillness and the breath, we target the Yin tissues — tendons, ligaments and fascia — to promote flexibility and energetic balance, then shift into full supported poses that encourage total relaxation and nervous system reset. Expect to leave feeling grounded, spacious and deeply at ease; perfect for all levels, especially those seeking balance, recovery, or stress relief.” The benefits of yoga for seniors extend far beyond the mat. Regular practice can enhance focus, heart health, posture and beyond. Whether your goal is to sustain mobility, manage stress, or foster connection, yoga at Tru For U provides seniors with a path to healthier, more balanced living -- the first class being free. As Kelly concludes, “At Tru, we guide people to classes that will benefit their needs and meet them where they are at on their wellness journey. I appreciate this kind and supportive community.” Tru For U is located at 459 Talbot Street with plenty of two-hour parking behind the building, available at no cost.

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Boomers and Beyond – Elgin • June 2025 Page 11

From Over the Hill: It’s Not Our Fault by Peter Bloch-Hansen

in favour of what they imagine is the ‘convenience’ of standing in line at the grocery store checkout. Almost everything today is sold to be more convenient, to make life easier. I wonder then, why so many people seem always so tired, so pressed for time. Maybe it’s the modern anxiety, the worry, that exhausts them? Well, gardening, which does take time – and some sweat, is the antidote. Immortal souls or no, our being is tied to the earth. AI fantasies, however ‘immersive’ or ingenious, will not change that. Our bodies are made of the earth’s elements; their life processes are interactions of chemicals and electrical charges, so complex that our best scientists are still trying to understand them – more than a little cause for wonder there. My Point? We have awareness, consciousness, identity -- experience! So, what’s all this convenience we pay so much for worth if we’re too busy and too tired to enjoy the experience? Yes, there’s always a lot to do, even for us retired seniors, but convenience, held up as some kind of shining ideal (or idol) is a lie. And so is leisure, for those who prefer to sit back and rot away. So, gardening. It’s the labour that makes it worthwhile. Yes, healthy exercise, nutrition, the slowing down, the tranquillity, sure, but the experience, the feeling of participating in the basic processes of life, that slows and fills us, brings us down to earth, brings us home.

Today I prepped my little vegetable plot for planting – essentially tilling and ‘amending’ the soil to ensure its fertility. Including the purchase of manure and seed potatoes, that took

up a nearly the whole afternoon (not counting the coffee break). Then I cut the seed potatoes and set them to dry before planting. I did wander through a ‘pop up’ flower nursery at the plaza, but I tend to wait a little before bringing home any of the tender little babies for transplanting in my own little backyard Eden till I’m reasonably certain they won’t be kissed by a late frost. I plant mostly root crops because they hold well into the winter when food is more expensive and less nutritious. My neighbour preserves masses of tomatoes, vegetables, pickles and fruits, almost, I say, to the edge of fanaticism. But they do eat very well all winter. I love tending and keeping my garden, heavily mulched to reduce weeding, and I love watching the plants grow, mature and ripen. And I’m not ashamed to admit the process fills me with wonder and a sweet, mild joy, more than payment enough for the labour that so many eschew

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Classic Disney

10 This book movie featured the “Bare Necessities” 12 The main villain in Sleeping Beauty 13 She wields a frying pan 14 The key part of the bed needed for travelling 15 The bear who says “What is the matter with me?” 16 The Little Mermaidís human name 20 This queen wants Alice’s head 21 Mr. Banks sings about this hobby 23 The Tramp’s love interest 24 The Banks live at #17 on this type of tree lane

19 Marlin was trying to find this character 20 Pirate captain in Peter Pan 22 She rides a pumpkin to the ball 25 Mary Poppins Uncle Down 1 Aladdin’s monkey 2 Mickey is magical in this musical classic 4 This demi-god had a long list of chores 6 He showed Princess Jasmine A Whole New World 8 He often suffers from a rumbly in his tumbly 9 The elephant with the extra big ears)

Across 3 Simba’s Father

5 She wanted a coat made of Dalmatians 7 This movie featured “When You Wish Upon a Star” 11 She helps explain the benefits of body language 12 The 7 dwarfs have this occupation 15 His friends were Thumper and Flower 16 Elsa’s younger sister 17 The road in London, where anything can be sold 18 The beast’s Candle servant

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Boomers and Beyond – Elgin • June 2025 Page 13

A Californian strives to live forever by Terry Carroll Bryan Johnson is working hard at not dying. He and his California team at “Project Blueprint: The Anti-Aging Protocol” have developed (and regularly

For one thing, in the film, he’s bare-chested for an inordinate amount of time. I get it. If you’re 47, slim, muscular and feeling good after being overweight and depressed for 10 years, who wouldn’t want to display their naked torso? Ten minutes would have been plenty. In another oddity, he regularly eats his last meal of the day at 11 am. And he takes about 50 pills and supplements daily. (In this, he’s in good company with many seniors). He reports aging at the rate of .064 of a year for every year he lives. Great! I’m with him so far. I believe he is slowing his aging process. As to eventually bringing it to a halt? This one-man guinea pig is a tad young to know what he’s talking about. A case in point: my brother-in-law, aged 71, who lives in Vancouver, BC, never smoked, drank moderately if at all, ate little meat, hiked and tap-danced regularly. He was in terrific shape by any metric until January of 2025 when he told his wife one morning he had no memory of an important Zoom call the previous evening. ‘Stroke, maybe?’ his wife wondered. She hustled him to an urgent care unit where they tested him thoroughly and decided it was a case of transient global amnesia. Nothing to worry about. Happens to lots of people. What doesn’t happen to everyone is the shadow that medical professionals noticed, almost by accident, at the bottom of one image they’d taken. Further tests ensued. He who checked every box (except a strict Mediterranean diet) had stage 3 lung cancer. He has completed the first round of radiation and chemo. Initial reports look promising, but living by the five habits didn’t stop Canada’s top killer from showing up. Maybe a team like Johnson’s would have spotted The Big C earlier and warded it off. Maybe not. To those of us who’ve lived 30+ years longer than Johnson, it makes sense that Project Blueprint can slow, but not stop, the aging process; eventually, we’ll all walk, hobble or crawl through the valley of the shadow. Terry can be argued with via terry@carrollgroup.ca.

monitor) a regimen to slow Johnson’s biological aging through supplements, diet, exercise, the right amount of sleep, rejuvenating 70 organs and, well, de-aging his own ‘johnson’. Bryan Johnson is both the funder of this research, to the tune of $2 million a year, and the guinea pig being tested. As Freud was to psychotherapy, Johnson is to longevity. So, what are Johnson’s top habits for living longer?

1. Adopt a Mediterranean Diet 2. Limit Alcohol Consumption 3. Engage in Regular Exercise 4. Avoid Smoking 5. Maintain a Healthy Body Mass Index (BMI) Nothing too startling there.

However, in a Netflix doc “ Don’t Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever ,” Johnson comes across as quirkier than he does on the podcast where I first encountered him. Geoffrey Rae Managing Editor / Sales Geoff@villagerpublications.com 519-495-7177 Copy Editor: Peter Bloch-Hansen Publisher: Barb Botten barb@villagerpublications.com Graphic Artist – Cathy Wood Photos, community events and article suggestions welcome. Please email hometown@villagerpublications.com. We look forward to hearing from you. oomers oomers B and EYOND B

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Page 14 Boomers and Beyond – Elgin • June 2025

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A Day in the Life of an Artistic Director by Port Stanley Festival Theatre Artistic Director, Liz Gilroy Tumble out of bed and I stumble to the kitchen......... Some mornings that is what it feels like as I start my day as Artistic Director at Port Stanley Festival Theatre. On a typical day during the summer season, my day starts in the office at about 8:45 am. I answer as many emails as I can, make phone calls, check in with my staff and then head upstairs to the rehearsal hall to start for 10 am. I chat with my Stage Manager and Apprentice SM, while I wait for the kettle to boil for my cup of tea. Then I check in with the cast and answer any questions they might have before the day begins.

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We usually start by blocking a scene that can be anywhere from 7 to 14 pages long. We read through the scene first, to get everybody on the same page and then we start ‘blocking’, which is figuring out where the cast will go, sit, stand, x to stage right or stage left, exit or enter, etc. We might need props if we are blocking a scene with food or drinks or perhaps jumping in or out of a casket. It’s a collaborative effort, but the final decisions on how it all plays out will be mine. The director provides the outside eye and makes sure to guide the audience’s focus to the ‘meat and potatoes’ of the scene. We take a break mid-morning, refill our tea and coffees and repeat, hopefully moving on to the next few pages. Lunch: I come back down to my office and try to get my other job done as the AD. (the same sort of stuff I did when I got to the theatre at 8:450). Hopefully, there are no ‘fires’ I need to put out. After lunch, we repeat the morning’s routine, take a mid- afternoon break, more tea, and then review all of the day’s work. If it is the end of the week, we would do a full run-through from start to finish and then have notes and work on ‘bits’. When rehearsal ends, the stage management team and I create the schedule for the next day. Then I return to my office for about another hour to check email one last time. At some point during the day, I also check on the upcoming shows -- set design, production meetings, costumes, budgets, marketing, schedules, choosing the pre-show music, etc. I arrive home just after 7 pm: have a bite to eat, go for a walk, say a quick hello to my better half, stream something mindless on my screen and hit the hay. Shake, rinse, repeat ......... Unless it’s tech week – shake, rattle, and roll....

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Boomers and Beyond – Elgin • June 2025 Page 15

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