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‘ V A As a born and bred country kid, 1 grew up with those pickin' people of the 19405 and ‘505 â€" folks like Hank Mlliams, Kitty Wells, Hank Snow, George Jones and Tammy Wynette. Their music was beamed into our home by high-powered radio stations south of the border. Because of an expanse of sev- eral hundred miles. tunes were heard best during evening hours because intensity was strongest. That was cow-milking time when bossy’s output also seemed stron- gest with a lohnny Cash ballad wafting past her ears. Pasf ’my ears. [00. Thanks to this. the laborious milking chore was almost enjoyable. Sadly. since the demise of Rich- mond Hill's CFGM, these golden oldies are seldom heard. Not in the Stoufi‘ville area. They’ve been replaced by what’s known as “new country”, a far cry from the storied songs of seven decades ago. But where there‘s lifé. there's hope. Thanks to Stouffville's Mor- Search for classic country music sounding great y roots' go, deep in country music â€"â€" classic country music. ley and Marie Ryan, lean and l are now tuned into a live song-and- dance experience featured every Friday at the Oddfellow‘s Hall in Brooklin. a half~hour’s drive away. The dance bands. some from a distance. are good. so good we never want to miss a night. In reality, we've again been bitten by the bug. The driving force behind this fun-house frolic is Linda Oneill. a native of. Corner Brook. New- foundland. but now living in Whitâ€" by. At age 17 and fresh out of high school. Linda moved to Toronto. it was while employed as a cashier at an IGA store she met and later with Iim Thomas married husband Ron. Mr. Oneill died suddenly five years ago. As a teenager. country music was a way of life, she recalls. Ron, a New Brunswick native, loved it too. Together. they travelled the dance circuit mainly in the Barrie area, since their summer cottage was located near Penetang. Later, they would visit the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville as well as Bran- son, Missouri. another favourite guitar-pickin' spot. The late Con- way Mtty remains her choice of country singers. When an initial dance site in Brooklin closed. Ron sought a replacement. And found it only a short distance away at 42 Bagot St. As with any revitalized venture. early crowds were small. about 40 people. However. word soon spread and dancers responded. some coming from as far away as Peterborough. Lindsay. Bowman- ville and. yes. Stouffville. Num~ bers have since doubled with participants ranging in age from 35to 95. Strict rules are in place and fig- idly enforced including exclusion of alcohol. "That's one of the stipu- lations.” says Linda. "alcohol isn't OPINION "Besides," she adds. “if a car accident occurred because of an inebriated driver, I'd feel guilty.‘We started this way and this is how it will stay.” needed to have fun." Dances begin at 6:30 and con- clude at 10:30. A single admission is $6 plus a voluntary 50~50 draw and a door prize. All bands receive the same basic fee. There's a $400 monthly hall rental expense. “Since we began. the price of admission has never changed," says Linda. Should there be a year end profit. a contribution is made to the Whitby Food Bank. Eight hundred dollars was donated last Christmas. ls the music format likely to change from classic country to new country? Definitely not. says Linda. At least not as long as she's in charge. "The people have made it clear. classic country is what they want. If this type of music isn't provided they won't come. simple as that." she states. She also notes there’s no shortage of classic country bands in the Brooklin area with eight groups currently available on a regular basis. The band schedule Saint E'uabeth WM?” TO VOU By Wednesday May H, 204 0 FREE ADMISSION Hcrfiage Court Drcd Energy Comm, Toron+o Hars Ham +0 7pm wnd‘ls A FAMILY cmaowm?’ Are VOU? CAREGIQVER PRIZES. GIVEAWAYS PAMPIRING A RESOURCE DAY FOR FAMILY CAREGIVERS AIIVOUNWQSTERGWDPAR- 9“. mm mm WFE. MIGH- m 0R m OF SOMEONE VINONIMVOUIOARI? A EVENT Are square and barn dances likely to be included? insufficient mom. says Linda. With lable and chairs arranged around the flour's perimeter. space is limited. she explains. is planned two months in advance on a weekly rotation system. Throughout tthe evening an open mic procedure is practised whereby guest. vocalists and instrumentalists are invited on stage. While some are repeat per- formers. first-time participants are warmly welcomed. And no one goes home hungry. At 8:30 everything comes to a halt while appetites are appeased through a plenteous potluck lunch. Although dancing remains the focus. fellowship is also imporâ€" tant. says Linda. 'I‘hroughout the evening. the hall is alive with con- versation. hugs and handshakes. “The people are wonderful." Linda concludes. "I feel privileged to be as much a part of their lives as they are part of mine." jim Thomas is a Stouflvflle reSIdent who haswnttenforarea newspapers formore than SHOW \H'