聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 Residents of Moose Mountain Lodge, staff and visitors were treated to a complete concert聽 experience-with one fan even rushing the stage- as Elvis Presley tribute artist Rory Allen made a surprise appearance there on Monday, July 13, courtesy of the Friends of Moose Moose Mountain Lodge.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 The concert coincided with the Lodge's monthly birthday celebration, and residents, most staff members and visitors were completely unaware that Elvis would be making an appearance to celebrate with them.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Friends of Moose Mountain Lodge member Carolyn Shirley of Carlyle is credited with the idea of Allen appearing at the Lodge.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 鈥淚'm just part of the group,鈥� she says. 鈥淏ut I was brainstorming one night, trying to think of something that everyone might enjoy. I met with Rory a while back and I knew he did shows at nursing homes. I just tried to think of what I would like to see if I were in (the residents') place. There were a lot of smiles today and I'm very happy. He did a really good, awesome show.鈥�
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Shirley adds that the concert was made possible by some generous sponsors. 鈥淚 knew it was a lot of money for us (the Friends of Moose Mountain Lodge),鈥� she says. 鈥淛im and I were willing to contribute, but I asked a few other people what they thought, and they generously donated to this special event. The support of Marilyn and Melvin George, Kathy Nankivell, Integrity Maintenance, Performance Realty, The Pearl and Carlyle Bakery-who donated the cinammon buns- ensured the cost was pretty well covered and the Friends put in the rest.鈥�
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Fellow Friends member Myrla Holland of Carlyle says, 鈥淭his show is just fulfilling the Friends of Moose Mountain Lodge's mission statement, which states that our vision is to enhance the everyday lives of the residents of Moose Mountain Lodge.鈥�
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 As Allen took the stage, he said, 鈥淚t's an honour for me to be here. I hope you all relax and have fun, and hopefully you'll make some memories.鈥�
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Allen entertained his audience with a mix of rock 'n' roll, ballads and gospel, as well as stories and hunour that drew from his encyclopedic knowledge of all things Elvis, adding: 鈥淲ith a catalogue of over 800 songs that Elvis recorded, there's plenty to choose from, so the show is never the same.鈥�
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 His energy and sense of humour were evident, as he actively engaged his audience, talking, leading sing-a-longs, good-naturedly teasing, posing for photos, holding hands and even getting and giving a few kisses.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Kathy Nankivell, whose mother, Lodge resident Ruby Morrison, received a kiss, said of Allen: 鈥淗e always puts a good show. I've seen him numerous times and he really tailors his show to the audience. He did exceptionally well with his song choices today and the way he reached out to his audience.鈥�
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Resident Leland Maxie, 37, who was celebrating his birthday said that Allen's show was 鈥淧erfect, just perfect.鈥�
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Lodge staff member Jan Prosofsky 鈥渞ushed the stage鈥� and secured a waltz with Allen, to the laughter of the audience.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 鈥淚t was awesome that he came here to entertain our residents,鈥� she said. 鈥淗ow can you not fall in love with this man? He's a sweetheart for doing that.鈥�
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Although Allen didn't bring his 11-piece band with him, the concert experience was enhanced by backing tapes that featured vocals by The Jordanaires and the Imperial Quartet, both of whom performed with the King. The recordings were from Allen's collaborations-both live and recorded-with both groups.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 鈥淢y nephew Patrick (Andrews) is here with us today,鈥� Allen told the crowd. 鈥淗e also does the sound for the Saskatchewan Roughriders, so you know the sound will be good.鈥�
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Allen was also accompanied by his 鈥渓ovely wife, Lorie鈥� and their daughter, Madison.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 鈥淢y wife used to spend a lot of time at Kenosee Lake, so because of that, I really like Kenosee Lake. I've also played a lot of shows at the Bear Claw Casino, so it's good to be back here in our old stomping grounds.鈥�
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 鈥淎nd after playing for the people here, the second-best reason to come to Carlyle is for the (Carlyle Bakery) cinammon buns,鈥� added Allen.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 The Allens have been named CTV Regina's Citizen(s) of the Year (2011) and have been awarded the Saskatchewan Centennial Medal and most recently, the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal-all in recognition of their ongoing generosity and community service.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 鈥淭his is actually how I get paid,鈥� Allen told the crowd. 鈥淢eeting people like you. There's so much wisdom in this room.鈥�
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 鈥淕od bless you all for coming out.鈥�
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 鈥淚 really appreciate the folks here,鈥� added Allen. 鈥淗opefully, I'll do a different show next year. I'd just love to come back. I like it here; it's cool.鈥�
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Friends of Moose Mountain Lodge president Bertha Isleifson said, 鈥淚 saw so many toe-tapping, smiling people here today. It was a really good show and it was fun for everyone.鈥�
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