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ic "| Gryphon Theatre's second offering Dolls to hooked rugs at annual arts and crafts festival ~ sunshine Boys" -- funny but not always crisp by Shirley Whittington What happens to retired vaudevillians? The same thing that happens to most of us - they either pretend they're still in demand, or they spend their lives sitting on the front porch watching the bushes grow. For Lewis and Clark, Neil Simon's Sunshine Boys, reprieve from retirement comes when they are invited to appear on a TV special on the history of American comedy. The Sunshine Boys is Gryphon Theatre's second summer offering. Willie Clark (Paul Kilgman) lives in a seedy Manhattan hotel con- stantly pyjamaed, he puts in the days watching soap operas on TV and waiting for his nephew (who is also his agent) to appear tor the weekly visit, bearing groceries, for- bidden cigars and a copy of Variety. One day, Ben (Richard M. Davidson) brings him news of a TV job. Clark crankily refuses. His old partner, Al Lewis (Guy Sandivo), used to spit on him when he delivered his lines, says Clark, and also had an annoying habit of jabbing him in the stomach with his forefinger while they were onstage. Nevertheless, the old boys get together for a rehearsal of their most popular skit - The Doctor Will See You Now. Clark remains crochety and unforgiving. Lewis is dapper, arthritic and long suffering. Their final rehearsal in the TV studio reveals the reason for their popularity. The jokes are hoary, but the routine is fast paced and funny - a zesty com- bination of Wayne and Shuster and the Marx brothers. Things click merrily along until Lewis reverts to his spitting and jab- bing. Clark rages and collapses. Lewis visits his con- valescing partner and pours oil on the still simmering flame of resentment. At the play's end the pair happily bickers through the curtain calls. The play is funny, but not always crisp. Some of the dialogue is vaudeville kerneled, ("He died? Where did he die?" "In Variety.") but both Kilgman and Sandivo worked with impeccable timing and precision. If the audience got twitchy, it may have been simply that the play was.a little long, and there wasn't a great deal of movement on stage. Checking the goods Willie Clark (Paul L. Kligman) examines the sodium 'free soup brought to him by his nephew Ben (Richard M. Davidson) in a scene from The Sunshine Boys, by Neil Simon. Blue Mountain the scene of topical seminars on Thursday. Some of the funniest moments were silent. Picture the two old pros, setting the props for their doctor skit, from memory. When Kligman reaches for a chair which Sandivo has_ moved, everybody breaks up. Kligman was so con- stantly peevish that his eventual heart attack came as no surprise. Sandivo with his little tapered figure was a Nureyev of body comedy. Richard M. Davidson, who played Willie's nephew and_ agent, personfied the hyped-up world of show biz and one could almost hear his stomach acids attacking, as he attempted to cope with his cranky uncle. Barbara Brown, the living Varga Girl, with her abbreviated nursé's uniform stopped the show when she leaned over the filing cabinet, with her back to the audience. The real nurse was played by Marie Pringel. She looked considerably younger than her proclaimed fifty plus, and her Irish accent tended to come and go, but she was a dandy no-nonsense nurse who took sick Willie in her starched stride. The TV director was played by Don Carter who Is in the Department of English and Humanities at Georgian College. He specializes in com- munications, and he communicated' the frustrations of schedule- pressed production people very well. His production cohort was played by Aaron Dyck, a member of Little's Hill Players. Together the anxious pair provided an excellent contrast to Lewis and Clark, whose tensions were self-produced. The patient in the doctor skit was played with rubber faced horror by Randy Campell. Neil Simon is_ light- hearted air conditioned summer fare. The Sun- shine Boys plays in the theatre at Georgian College until July 12, with a matinee performance the keys to success of craft show by Shirley Whittington Karen Gingrich was one of the exhibitors at this year's festival of arts and crafts in Midland's St. Paul's United Church. Karen makes realistic little dolls, that sit in rocking chairs, read newspapers or hold tiny knitting needles in their hands. She learned how to make them at last year's craft show. Renata Weitzenbauer, one of the exhibitors, showed her how. As well as her dolls, Karen showed paintings, wall hangings, jewellery and cheery little Christmas decorations. For her, the show was an opportunity to sell the crafts she had made over the winter, and to visit with other craftspeople. In between, she stitched Karen's' eight-foot booth was just one of the many that were set up in the auditorium. Forbes Stewart was selling prints of his original pen and ink sketches of local land- marks. Dave Nicklin sat polishing gem stones behind a glass topped case that held semi- precious stones from Africa, Arizona and Huronia. Some of them were mounted in pen- dants and rings. There were more dolls in the booths of Aline Jessome and Bernice Antaya, along with candles, needlework and crocheted items. Mary McEwen _ of Meaford set up her easel and sketched pastel portraits of passers-by. Marlene Pruesse, Sandy Bay, sold out her com- plete collection of hand- thrown pots and mugs. Ted Lord Waubaushene, was there with his fine water colours. There were scores. of Holly Hobby dolls and hanging planters. One could buy hand decorated note paper, hand painted china, woven place mats and ceramics of every description. There was a tree of children's hats, for a dollar each. For shoppers, it was a chance to get Christmas presents six months ahead of time. The prices were low, because the festival is a non-profit venture which runs on a shoe-string - budget. Exhibitors pay only a ten dollar fee which covers the cost of insurance, advertising and con- struction materials. The space is donated free by St. Paul's Church. There is no admission charge, although there is a plate for silver collection at the door. "Last year," smiled organizer' Bonnie Morrison, "we had $100 left over after the show. We used it to buy sheets of peg board to display things on. If we have anything left over this year, I hope we can buy a banner to stretch across the main street to promote next year's show." But the best publicity is word of mouth, and the reports are all good. As well as the opportunity to buy and sell, the show offers opportunities to learn new skills. The Midland Senior Citizens had set a quilting frame on the stage of the auditorium and _ happily on one of her little dolls. + invited anyone who was interested to sit down and quilt with them A display of hooked rugs and pictures beckoned passers-by with a framed piece of burlap, some wool and a sign that read "Interested in Rug Hooking? Try it!" Youngsters tried their creative hands in the children's centre. Bev Gerow and _ Eleanor Hunter materials had gathered - empty egg cartons, spools, yarn, paint and clay - and the children were encouraged to make things There was a bustle of activity in the kitchen next to the exhibitors' hall. The nurses' alumni had set up a lunchroom and Rena Bell was producing acres of butter tarts to keep up with the demand. For visitors interested in Rena's culinary secrets, there were cook-books com- > 4 ~ / MA Ui More Weitzenbauer winne piled by the nurses sale at their booth Organizers' Bonnie for Morrison, Carol Gerow Eleanor Hunter, Lydia Ehmcke, Bernice Cooper, Lois Tweedle and June Quinsey are still smiling about the tremendous success of their second annual craft fair The real measure of its success is the tremendous enthusiasm and_ in spiration that is generated when a group of talented crafts people get together One of last year's exhibitors Renata Weitzenbauer (she taught Karen how to make the little dolls) wasn't able to be in the show this year She was in Texas at an International Doll Makers show, where her character dolls won a gold cup, signifying first prize in the show rS Local doll-maker wins first prize Midland's' Renata Weitzenbauer took her dolls to Texas last week. She sold most of them at the International Doll Makers' Association Convention in San Antonio, but she brought home a gold cup (first prize) and a half a dozen prize winner's ribbons. Her dolls were exhibited along with those from collectors and makers from all over the U.S. and Canada, as well as some' European countries. There were 350 contributors at the show, and they worked in dried apples, bread dough, wax wood and clay and papier mache. Renate's technique of working with cloth was not heavily represented. Her dolls were the hit of the show, and Renate has been invited to join the National Institute of American Doll Artists which works toward the recognition of original handmade dolls' ex pressing American culture Huronia Community Calendar Tuesday, July 8 Wednesday, July 9 -- Muskoka Summer Theatre season opens with the production "O Coward", at the Orillia Opera House, 8 p.m. both nights. Saturday, July 12 -- Bazaar and bake sale at the Ship-A-Hoy, Woodland Beach, sponsored by the Bayshore Senior Citizens' Club. -- Garage sale. Proceeds for 2nd Midland Cubs and Scouts, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 261 Bay Street South Midland. -- Strawberry Tea and Bake Sale at Mrs. Laurine Taylor's home, Percy Street, Waubaushene. Under the auspices of the United Church Women. Sunday, July 13 -- The area Baha'i Community invites you to investigate Memorial Park the Baha'i (top Faith, all of Main day, at Street) Penetanguishene. Everyone welcome. Tuesday, July 15 -- Meeting of Penetanguishene Horticultural Society 8 p.m. at Mrs. P.A. Charlebois' summer cottage. Bus leaves bus stop at 6:30 p.m. sharp, for supper at 7 p.m. Bring own silverware. Pictures by Marcel Bellehumeur. Horticulturists welcome. July 15, 16 and 17 Summer Antique Market, Country Mill, on Balm Beach Road, Midland Andrews Hospital Auxiliary Sponsored by St Midland. Opens at 7 p.m Wednesday, July 16 -- The Mothers' Club of St. Mark's Anglican Church, will hold an auction sale, in the Parish House, 309 Third Street, Midland, at 1 p.m. There will also be tied and hand sewn quilts for sale Saturday, July 26 Stephen Leacock medal for humour award dinner and dance, to be held in honour of Morley Torgov, for his book '"'A Good Place to Come From'"', at the Sundial Motor Inn, Orillia, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets available from Leacock associates in Orillia. Sunday, July 27 -- Horse show in Coldwater Fairgrounds, starting at 10 a.m. sponsored by the Georgian Bay Riding Club Saturday, August 2 -- Vasey United Church Anniversary Supper, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. For tickets call 534-3246 and 835-2145. -- Organizers are invited to publicize their up- coming events free of Community Calendar. Please the Times the com- charge in call munity Calendar editor at 526-9369 or drop your message into The Midland Times office at 289 King Street (upstairs). Are we really headed toward ecological and economic disaster ? Many of the world's leading thinkers believe our fragile planet is headed toward, ecological and economic disaster, which can only be averted through a massive change in our 'unrent industrial and y "jal practices. 'The nature of the earth's population, environmental and economic problems were recently the .topic of a three day seminar held at Blue Mountain Resort near Collingwood. Over sixty people, many from the surrounding area participated in the wide ranging discussions. Local residents who Participated in the discussions were Milan and Judy Somborac, Farell Anderson, Greta McGillivray, Marjo and Carl Feagan, Denis Mildon, Diane Arm- strong, Marilyn Bassett, Marion Sandell, Bill and Trudy Ainley, Sheila Metras, Ray and Carol Mickevicus, George and Barbara. Weider. Blue Mountain will launch more of these seminars next spring, and several of the themes have already been followed up in a course taught at Blue Mountain on "Countdown to Tomorrow" by Professor Alistair Taylor. The course was part of the Georgian College Sum- mer program. by George Weider In charge of the discussion program was Alistair Taylor, a professor at Queen's University and a man ot wide-ranging interests and abilities. In the course of their busy life Alistair and his wife Mary have found time to manage a farm in the Beaver Valley which they have called Avala. The hundred acres at Avala are no retirement retreat for gentleman farming, as the Taylors intend to invite people with interests similar to theirs for discussion and exploration of means to defeat the dark forces of hunger, poverty, and aggression that are stalking the planet. At the conference and in a subsequent series of lectures at Blue Mountain entitled 'Countdown to Tomorrow", Alistair shared with his audiences some of his ideas on issues such as disar- mament, the world food crisis, our dwindling natural resources and the need for world govern- ment in order that our scarce resources can be managed effectively. These are the questions he is writing about in his forthcoming contribution to the third report of the Club of Rome, an_in- ternational group of prestigious businessmen, scholars and politicians, who have dedicated themselves: toward heading off the potential crises of mass starvation and ecological catastrophe. Of all the problems discussed by Alistair perhaps the most im- portant was rampaging growth of the population of the underdeveloped sections of the globe. I had always associated this problem with Asia and Africa, but Alistair pointed out that there was a smaller, yet very dangerous time bomb ticking closer to home. By the early 21st century, if current rates of growth continue, there will be more than 600 million people south of the Rio Grande. South Americans will out- number North Americans by more than two to one, and Alistair suggested that we should be lear- ning Spanish rather, than French as our second language. Will Canadians be able to withstand the pressure for sharing our relatively plentiful food and fuel supplies with lesser privileged peoples like our Latin American neighbours? The moral dilemmas are frightening, and we have few guidelines from the past on how to cope with them. One school of thought in the U.S. con- sists of the so-called "'life- boat theory". These planners have already written off certain sec- tions of the world as not worth assisting, and want to confine foreign aid to countries that can help themselves. According to this theory, if every nation attempts to get on the lifeboat of world resources the whole ship will sink, and it is better to concentrate on the few who have a chance of surviving. The advocates of lifeboat theory insist that certain conditions must be met before aid is given. The leadership of the country under con- sideration must be _ in- telligent and capable, the political structure must be such that it favours the continuation of that leadership; the leader- ship must be favourably disposed toward the U. S. and the country that is being helped must have resources that the U.S. could use. Allistair Taylor resolutely condemns the lifeboat theory. He is horrified by the idea of the advanced nations playing God to the entire planet. He does not feel that each nation should have sole control over its resources and exclusive rights in determining how to distribute these resources. There is a_ global political consciousness developing which will soon make our concept of the sovereign nation state as extinct as the dinosaur. Some type of world authority must come into existence within the near future if the planet is to survive He advocates. the formation of international Supervisory agency which would make frequent inventories of world resources and monitor the rate of their consumption much as a store keeper takes in ventories of his stock and considers the means of replacing it In spite of the gloomy Statistics of rampaging population growth and dwindling food and fuel supplies, Alistair Taylor is an optimistic man. The human mind is infinitely creative and capable of thinking up measures for survival Yet he fears that today's politicians are too absorbed in coping with day-to-day problems rather than planning for the future. The possibility of a gigantic crisis is approaching with Wednesday, devastating speed It has been forecasted that thirty years from today the world's population will be more than double what it is now (it is now estimated to be 312 billion Alistair compares the difficulties of the world's leaders with those of the captain of a hugh ocean going freighter. A small yacht can quickly manoeuvre around an obstacle or change course, but a freighter lurching for- ward at top speed takes many hours to stop and turn around in the other direction The planet earth, notes Alistair, is hurtling toward catastrophe at break-neck speed. The count-down to tomorrow has begun. July 9, 1975, Page 5