Food for Fines The annual Food for Fines campaign at SD&G County Library is back this November. Once again, library patrons are invited to pay off overdue fines by donating non-perishable food items from November 16 to 30. For each item donated, one dollar of fines will be forgiven. The campaign is a win-win for patrons as they have the opportunity to give back to their communities while also clearing up outstanding library fines. The campaign is also a benefit for the SDG community. Branches will work with local food banks to ensure donated items reach the communities they serve. In some cases, local food banks have also provided branches lists of items that are in high demand in their communities. “Food for Fines is a great way for both the library and the residents to get involved in the community,” said Karen Franklin, director of library services.
Behind every one of the Upper Canada Playhouse’s successful plays is a man who, having already been in the spotlight in the past, would rather take a backseat to the audience’s loud applauses. “You’re only as good as your last show,” he said, his lips curving into a smile. Donnie Bowes, the Playhouse’s artistic director, takes off his fall coat and drops his hat on the table in front of him, before sitting on a small of- fice chair. One look at him reveals that he’s a man who has lived quite an exciting life. Originally from New Brunswick, he ob- tained a degree in English but admits that the love of theater nearly sent himoverboard. “I joined the theater society and nearly flunked my degree. I spent too much time there,” recalled Bowes. Following his graduation, he began a teaching position in New Brunswick that lasted four years. Midway through, how- ever, the theater bug bit him again. “I left my teaching job onemonth before the sum- mer, in order to go work at a small Montreal theater called La Poudrière,” he admitted. He served as the theater’s stage manager and was awarded with his first “true” taste of show business. In addition, the move created what he calls his first culture clash. “I moved there in 1975, and immediately, I noticed how busy it was. Do keep inmind that it was the year before the big Montreal Olympics. It was buzzing!” Although he left the city following the end of his contract, he highlights that it was “a great experience and a great introduction to the real theater world.” He resumed his teaching position in his native province, but soon enough, the hard- working man was once again on the prowl, moving to Toronto. “At first it was scary,” he said, looking around the room. “But my first month there, I managed to land a role in a musical. I couldn’t sing much, but I could carry a tune. If you can act and sing, you’re worth a lot.” A community within a city, the actor’s ghetto Surrounded by other actors, Bowes soon became submerged in the theater culture that was heavily present in Toronto’s down- town. “The people I worked with becamemy friends. They showed me everything about the city and even introduced me to what they called the actor ghetto.” The “actor ghetto” was a community within a city. Consisting of a small number of apartment buildings, it housed a good portion of the city’s actors. “It was a great thing to experience,” he explained, adjusting himself on the small chair. “We all wanted to make it big, to further our careers. There wasn’t always a role for all of us, so when- ever auditions were about to take place, you could hear, through the walls, all the other habitants of the apartment, practicing the same lines!”
Above all, every actor wanted to do be on television, as it paid the most. “If you were to walk on Young Street and see this actor walking around with a brand-new leather jacket, you knew full well that he was acting on television. Nowadays it seems to have changed, as actors in musicals are being paid more.” While discussing the memories of his nine years spent in the actor’s ghetto, one can plainly see the raw emotions resurfacing on the 65-year-old man’s face. “You’d go to sleep never knowing where you’d be the next time you want to bed,” he said. Bowes trav- elled extensively across Canada, in order to direct and star in plays. “I went toMontreal, Calgary and even New Brunswick.” It’s in the strange but comforting neigh- bourhood that Bowes, then in his late twen- ties, came to a life-changing realisation. “I figured that there were three types of actors,” he indicated. “Some wanted to become big, the next star. Some just couldn’t do it and eventually left the profession. Then there were others, likeme, who simply wanted to do what they loved, all the while being able to survive, doing it.” Following his departure from Toronto, he established his own theater company, in Mississauga.That’s when the outgoingman discovered his love of marketing. “I loved running the show. I was in charge of reach- ing out to newspapers and radio stations. It was great, but it certainly was challenging.” Bowes points to the fact that most of his clientele lived in Toronto, therefore he had to cater to the big city’s hundreds of radio stations. “Newspapers were easy, but radio stations were different,” he stressed, uttering a loud sigh. “There’s just somany of them, I didn’t know which one to go with.” From the big city to Morrisburg After several years of irregular schedules and overnight travels, Bowes was offered what he considers is the chance of a lifetime. Fifteen years ago, he learned that the Upper Canada Playhouse, located in Morrisburg, was in need of an artistic director. “I have acted in several plays and musicals,” said Bowes. “But I’ve always, deep down, wanted to direct.” And directing he has. His role consists of being in charge of at least three to four plays a year. “When we have guest directors, I act as production assistant, meaning I help out with the guest director’s every need.” The artistic director’s other roles include marketing and promotion. “I’m the one in charge of dealing with local newspapers in order to get out our name out,” he explained. “I do everything so that our season starts off right.” In his own words, Bowes compares himself to a parish priest. “Being an artis- tic director means you must be the face of the Playhouse and you must also be in the community and be a part of it.”
EST À LA RECHERCHE DE D’UN(E) CONSEILLER(ÈRE) EN PUBLICITÉ À CORNWALL La personne idéale sera une personne retraitée ou semi-retraitée qui possède beaucoup d’entregent et qui désire arrondir ses ns demois. EXIGENCES : • Posséder de l’expérience dans le domaine de la vente • Être bilingue (français, anglais), écrit et oral
• Respecter les heures de tombées • Être capable de travailler en équipe
Faire parvenir son curriculum vitae par courriel à roger.duplantie@eap.on.ca • Posséder une voiture et l’utiliser pour le travail • Avoir un horaire exible pour projets spéciaux RÉMUNÉRATION : Bonne commission DATE D’ENTRÉE EN FONCTION : Le plus tôt possible
Seules les personnes retenues pour une entrevue seront contactées.
IS LOOKING FOR A SALESPERSON IN CORNWALL e ideal candidate is a retired or semi-retired person with excellent interpersonal skills who wants to earn extra money. REQUIREMENTS: • Experience in sales an asset • Bilingual (French, English), both oral and written • Demonstrated teamwork • Respect deadlines
• Possess valid driver’s license and use of vehicle • Time/Schedule exibility for special projects SALARY: Good commission STARTING DATE: As soon as possible
Send your resume by email to roger.duplantie@eap.on.ca
Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Wednesday, November 18, 2015
The Journal Cornwall
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