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"Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" 4- PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, June 23, 1998 Grandstand on way In time for Blackstock fair By John B. McClelland Port Perry Star Bleachers and grand- stands at the Blackstock Fairgrounds will be rebuilt this summer and ready for this year's fair in late August. Scugog council awarded a contract this week to Gerr Construction for $46,500, the lowest of four compa- nies bidding for the work. The company says in its documents that the work will be complete by Aug. 10, well ahead of the annual fair held the last Saturday of that month. The wooden grandstand and bleachers on the east side of the fairgrounds were destroyed by fire over a year ago. Gerr's bid of $46,500 does not include the cost of aving the parking area at 85 300 or $5,200 for elec- trical work. There is a chance to reduce the bid by $3,800 if the fair board agrees to change the color of the metal roof from black to a stock color. Black was selected as the color for the roof because it would match the roof on the community centre and arena nearby. The bids for the work were reviewed by an archi- tect with Totten Sims Hubicki, consultants for the township. The bid of Gerr Construction was rec- ommended for approval by the consultant. In approving the con- tract last Monday, council was told that a local con- tractor who did not bid for the electrical portion of the work is prepared to do that work at a lower cost than the $5,200 in the accepted contract. Councillors declined to accept the offer, saying they are not about to tinker with the tendering process once bids have opened. If the local electrical contractor wanted the work, he should have submitted his quote to the general contractors bidding for the job, council- lors reasoned on Monday. Horo GA NLeR ANSEENE LL Celebrate Canada Day in Janetville Janetville Parks Board charity ball game between : JEFF MITCHELL/PORT PERRY STAR gn Conga Day iy Ove am thy HUFFING AND PUFFING: Scugog Mayor Doug who represented business, local fire and ambu- June 28. Festivities will which begins at 3 p.m. Moffatt blows up a balloon, one of the require- - lance services, and the media. It was part of a beginat1p.m. withgames Snack bar is open allday. Ments of contestants taking part in a bicycle full day of events organized by Rural/Metro Ambulance. Dozens of kids came out to test their skills and knowledge of the rules of the road. rodeo held in the lot at Reid's Independent Grocer in Port Perry on Saturday. The mayor was among a number of celebrity contestants for the children through- out the afternoon. Come out and watch a A beer tent for the adults and fireworks to finish the day at dusk. Nine-year-old musician is going places Violin prodigy to study at Royal Conservatory By Heather McCrae Port Perry Star When Lauren Malyon was three years old, she became infatuated with violin lessons a little friend was taking. Immediately, she had her parents sign her up for lessons. Three years later Lauren began adding piano lessons to her daily agen- da. And what has transpired over the years is quite incredible. Now 9, Lauren has done exceptionally well this year at all her competitions, and has won several violin scholarships as well. The talented young musician won bursaries at the Sunderland Lions Music Festival, Pickering Rotary Music Festival and the Oshawa-Whitby Kiwanis Music and Theatre Festival. Another highlight for the young musician came when she won at the Canadian Music Competition, which qualified her for provincial competitions held recently. Although Lauren didn't claim any top awards, she was only a mere point or two behind the top per- formers. Ever since Lauren began taking an active interest in the violin she's been taking private and group lessons from Jane Plewman of Chalk Lake. "It's one thing to have the gift and another thing to have the drive, but Lauren has both," Mrs. Plewman said. "She eats music up, and always strives 1 . dy Lauren Malyon to do her best." Soon, with the blessing of her teacher, Lauren will begin taking private and group lessons with master teacher Hrathri Manoukian at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. "It's good that Lauren is going on in her violin studies," Mrs. Plewman says. "I'm sad to see her leave, but I am excited about her future." Lauren's going on to bigger and better things with the piano, too. Since she was six she's been taking lessons from Bev Foster of Port Perry. Lauren is going to continue her piano studies with Marina Garingas at the Royal Conservatory of Music. "This is an exciting time for Lauren. It's quite a privilege to be taking lessons with Mrs. Garingas," said Mrs. Foster. "In my opinion, Mrs. Garingas is prob- ably the foremost piano pedagogue in all of Canada who specializes in teaching gifted children. "Lauren's so much fun to teach," Mrs. Foster added. "I'm going to miss her, but I feel this is the right step for her." She also feels her student is incredi- bly dedicated and driven: "You don't see that too often in kids. And Lauren also has very supportive parents and grandparents." Although Lauren is excited about her studies, she says it's going to be hard leaving her two favorite teachers: "They've both been really encouraging," she says. Lauren often plays at assemblies and talent shows at R. H. Cornish P.S., where she is currently enrolled in Grade 4 French Immersion. Lauren and her teacher Suzanne Garriock were also instrumental in set- ting up the violin club at school. Now more than 20 members have signed up. When the alarm goes off every morn- ing at 6 a.m., it isn't a chore for Lauren to get out of bed. Practice isn't a drag for this young musician. "I enjoy practicing," Lauren said. Practicing over an hour of piano and 60 minutes of violin daily, she feels prac- ticing is fun, regardless of the early morning hours. "I know my new teachers are going to expect more of me," she said, "but I'm ready and prepared for the chal- lenge." And now, her two younger brothers are following in their sister's footsteps. Seven-year-old Zachary is taking piano lessons while Joshua, 4, is practicing the violin. Lauren's parents Ken and Andrea are extremely proud of their daughter's accomplishments. "We're proud of her. We also encour- age her to do her best, but don't want to put a lot of pressure on Lauren, either," her mom said. "She's only nine years old, and we want her to enjoy her childhood as well."