The Keen Age Centre in Canora put on a variety of interesting events for over 50 members at its social and barbeque, which was held June 12, not the least of which was a performance by two Canora gospel singers, Art and Sylvia Stadel.
The married couple originally lived in Delta, B.C., but moved to start a career in farming, and along the way discovered that they had a talent in musical performance. The two began singing 25 years ago in various churches located in Dubuc, Atwater, Esterhazy, and Stolkholm.
When they retired and moved to Canora, their love of singing continued, and the Stadels have shared their talents at the United Church in Canora for three years before their performance for the social.
The performance not only featured singing, but also instrumental accompaniment. Sylvia played the electronic keyboard known as an omnichord as well as the harp, while her husband played the guitar.
After the soothing music, Marie Waselyshen changed the tune of the event with a hilarious comic routine, before reading a poem about the free nature of hugs. Waselyshen encouraged the guests to stand and share hugs with the other audience members at the end of her set.
The barbeque was prepared by Olga Baulin and Gladys Gradinski, along with the chief cook, Charlie Rudachuk. Jean Zarazun offered a dinner prayer before the meal was served. The guests were also treated to dessert, as May and June birthday celebrants were honoured not only with a performance of Happy Birthday by Sylvia Stadel and the other members, but with two cakes contributed by Anne Slugoski and Delmar Mattison.
Slugoski also adorned a table with an arrangement of flowers selected from her garden, including an eye-catching original lady slipper flower.
Edith Kotzer took photographs of the celebration, and Etta Fletcher maintained the guestbook. The Keen Age Centre members thank everyone who helped make the social possible.
