A special dramatic reading of Charles Dickens鈥� A Christmas Carol was brought to life when six readers took on the challenge at a program called 鈥淭he Dickens鈥� Night鈥� at the Trinity United Church on November 29.
The project was organized and co-ordinated by Sheila Ivanochko. The evening 鈥榮 main feature was the storytelling, but the audience also showed appreciation to the musical interlude provided by local performers.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Readers included Ivanochko, Angele Poirier, Les Deruiter, Lil Masley, Miles Russell and Lynnel Person.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 "The reading of A Christmas Carol has become a tradition in many parts of Canada to mark the Christmas season and to raise funds for local causes such as food banks," said Rev. Miles Russell. "Tonight, Trinity United Church has opened its doors and under the leadership of Sheila Ivanochko, invited the public, readers, and musicians from several communities to come together to support the local Filling the Gap, Christmas hamper program.
The program is organized by the Preeceville and District Ministerial Association and the Family Resource Centre. Over the last 20 years, this organization has provided about 30 Christmas food hampers each year for families and individuals who need some extra help at Christmas time, he said. Throughout the year, the program serves communities in Endeavour, Preeceville, Sturgis, Rockford, Stenen, Danbury, Hazel Dell and Okla by providing periodic emergency food hampers. During the last few years, from 30 to 40 hampers are filled from January to November. The special hampers at Christmas time are provided for families including between 40 to 50 children.
鈥淭hrough this program the whole community comes together 鈥� churches, schools, individuals and service groups 鈥� to provide help to make Christmas a time of blessings,鈥� said Russell.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Charles Dickens, who wrote A Christmas Carol in 1843, used his written works to raise funds for those in need during the Christmas season, he said. His first public readings were inspired by the northern industrial town of Manchester, England. He wrote the book because he needed money but he chose the theme as a response to the notorious poverty of the 鈥渉ungry forties.鈥� His first public reading took three hours and then over time, Dickens reduced it to an 80-minute reading.
Locally, the Dickens鈥� Night was developed around six readers: Angele Poirier, Sheila Ivanochko, Les DeRuiter, Lil Masley, Lynnel Person and Russell.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Karolyn and Kennedy Kosheluk performing a musical prelude to start the program. Russell was also the master of ceremonies for the evening.
Musical performances were offered by Therese and Robert Sandager, accompanied by Barb Melsness, as they performed In the Bleak Midwinter. On the piano, Leanne Jakubowski performed Reflections of Eternity. Kennedy Kosheluk gave two performances on the mandolin, playing: Rakes of Mallow and Jesus, Joy of Man's Desiring. Rhonda Cook played a Christmas medley on a flute.
After the closing remarks, a cappella performances were offered by Laura Chartrand, Jerry Lisitza and Jeff Davis.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 All proceeds from the evening were donated to the Filling the Gap Christmas hamper program.
