
April 1971
One of the harbingers of Spring in Almonte is the annual Lions Club Amateur Talent Show which was held last Friday evening at Naismith’ Public School before an audience of about five hundred.
It was an entertaining, well balanced show even though the Senior Variety class was cut in half when three entrants were unable to appear.
At first it was thought that the juniors and seniors could compete in two classes only hurt again, a predominance of step dancers on the program indicated a switch to the four group system — separate classes for Junior Stepdancing;
Junior Variety; Senior Stepdancing and Senior Variety,
A separate class, the choir competition, was judged separately with the Presbyterian. Church Junior Choir taking top honours
Stepdancing, Wendy Thompson, repeated with another win this year.
There was a tie for second place which went to Brenda Cowan and the duo of Allison Findlay and Connie Stanton.
The largest group was JuniorVariety which featured twelvecontestants from which three winners were selected. First prize went to Karen Beekink for a well played piano selection. Little Laurie Findlay took second prize for her version of the Ohariston and third place went to Nancy Sadler and Karen Wheatley for their vocal duet.
The Senior Stepdancing class followed intermission and Donna and Debbie Lowe of Carleton Place repeated their first place win of last year with a very professional looking step dancing routine. They were accompanied by violinist Dawson Gird Wood and Glen Paul at the piano.
Second place in this class was awarded to Debbie McWatty,
Singer and guitarist, Michael Seiguin of Kemptville took top honours in the shortened Senior Variety Section of the show. Second place went to the Sadler sisters. Carol Ann, Beverley, Cathy and Nancy and third place winners were Sheryl and Barbara Cundell, an accordian and guitar duo from Pembroke.
Judges for the evening were Mr.Ron Wood of TV station CJOH, Mr. Doug Anderson from CJET in Smiths Falls and Mrs. Marie Taylor who kindly filled in at the last moment for an ailing Bill Roberts of CKOY.
Mrs, Taylor was associated for some time with educational television and has worked with Graham Kerr, the “Galloping Gourmet”. With so many entries, the judges deliberations took considerable time which was filled with entertainment by the “Tailtwisters” a ‘barbershop quartet from Kemptville. They entertained both during intermission and following the show.
An appearance by the “Whistling Top Hats” got a big chuckle from the audience. Although unrecognisable the three performers were Almonte Lions Bob Hudson, John Mansfield and Lynden Somertoh, who were all selected for the performance, apparently, for their physical attributes.
In all a most successful programme and the Almonte Lions wish to commend not only all the performers but the many accompanists who assisted including Mrs. R. Cochran, Mrs. O ’Keefe, Mrs. S. Clark, Dawson Girdwood, Reg Hill, Glen Paul, Allan Giles, Bernard Finner, Barry Munroe, Miss Beverley Sadler and Lion Mirl Chaffee.

Betty Anderson
January 13 at 9:13 AM · Does anyone remember the concerts that were put on at the town hall. I think the mans name was Leo Lindsay who organized them. We did musicals and plays. We had a lot of fun.
Barbara Joan CookI remember the Friday night dances sponsored by the Lions Club
Pat SterlingThere was the Teen and twenty club run by robert newton and I. I think it was 25 cents each Friday, and then with proceeds we got a good band, for the same 25 cent admission at the end of the month.
Pat SterlingBarbara Joan Cook we got the town hall for free on Friday night. Insurance? Dunno. No real contracts in those days..but that’s about fifty years ago. I recall that robert and I purchased those lovely blue lights for the two magnificent trees by the war monument from our profits.Once I went to Prius X, I stopped doing it. Maybe the lion’s club took over.I have one fond memory of you Barb…
Nora HeadleyI remember going once when I was still in elementary school to see a show that Michael Finner was in. (Dorothy’s eldest son)
Nora Headley that sounds like the bi-annual high school concerts. The boys football team did the can-can (Mike included). It was hilarious!
Norma Jean BeaupreMy sister Rosemarie Mote was involved in organizing the teen and twenty dances at the Town Hall. We had awesome bands
Sharon SavardLeo Lindsay did a lot for the youth in Almonte years ago very nice man.
Leona PenleyCarl Sadler..in musicals. Loved them
Joan ArmstrongI remember going to my older sister’s graduation that were held there from High School – also high school gymnasts performing – that wasn’t yesterday.
Lynda ReynoldsI remember Leo Lindsay in charge of Miss Almonte and princesses in the Miss eastern Ontario pageant….I think that was his name…..a very nice gentleman!