Saskia and Darrel to perform in Gleichen

Posted on: J A McRae

Shannon LeClair    
Times Reporter
 
Once again members of the Gleichen and District Community Association are feeding people to help raise funds. Previous fundraising had been to repair the kitchen at the community hall, and now there are more repairs needed.  
“Well we’re fundraising for two different things, first of all to fix the fire escapes. We have put in for grants from a variety of places to put in steps on the north side and south side of the hall to make sure that people can get out,” said Doris Lindman with the Gleichen and District Community Association Committee. 
“Now our next fundraising that we’re working on is for the roof, the roof has major problems. It hadn’t been dealt with over the years so it is leaking so we have to have a structural engineer come in to tell us what all needs to be done and then I have to apply for grants for that. 
“In order to apply for grants you have to have money, so we are putting on concerts and dinners and what ever else we can think of to get grants.”
On Sept. 15 anyone interested is invited to enjoy a roast beef dinner and a concert put on by Saskia and Darrel, who have toured with Juno Award winner Gary Fjellgaard. They were awarded Top Folk /Roots Album in Holland last year, nominated for Artist, Songwriter of the Year, and Male Vocalist of the year by SCMA, received Top 5 People’s choice awards, and remain perennial favorites on CBC, CKUA and Indie folk/roots charts in Europe and Community Radio Stations throughout Canada and the US.
“For $30 they’re getting a roast beef dinner plus a concert, which seems darn reasonable to me,” said Lindman. 
In order to apply for a government grant 50 per cent of the money needs to be raised. There will be plenty of fundraising ventures taking place in Gleichen over the next couple of years to try to meet that goal. 
“I wouldn’t be at all surprised if it took us about two years to raise the money for the roof, then maybe we can sit back for a little bit, I don’t know,” said Lindman, laughing. 
Right now the main focus of the committee is to see the centre fixed; afterwards they will begin focusing on other projects. 
On Sept. 15 the doors open at 5 p.m., dinner begins at 6 p.m. followed by the show at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 per person and are more than half sold out. Anyone interested can contact Erma at 403-734-3863 or Alice Booth 403-644-2969.