NEWTON — David Dalley believes great neighbours make great neighbourhoods. Get to know each other, look out for each other and help each other achieve a safe and friendly neighbourhood.
Dalley, along with a few friends, created Friends of the Grove, an impromptu collection of Newton neighbours dedicated to improving the image of Newton as a great neighbourhood.
The Grove is a stand of mature cedar trees located just outside Newton Recreation Centre and bus loop. A gravel pathway winds its way through these majestic trees. On May 3, Dalley and his Friends held a Gathering at the Grove, with music, art and people. The aim is to make this Grove a friendly place, a place where people can meet and greet other people. It was a huge success and got good media coverage; you can catch coverage on the CTV and Global news websites.
There is a lovely sign made by Friends of the Grove posted when the Friends are in the Grove: "Park Suggestions: Don't be mean, Smile at others, Say "hello". For info, call on a friend. Bylaw #00000." You can probably tell by the bylaw number that this project is not funded by the city. Help comes from friends and neighbours.
This past Sunday was a terrifically beautiful, sunny day. Dalley decided it would be a great day to have some music in the Grove. He scrambled to find a keyboard, and Carillon Music kindly and quite generously donated the use of a Kawai keyboard, plus all the electrical cords needed. Thank you, Carillon.
I made a stop at the Grove on the way to the pool, with grandchildren in tow. They all took turns at the keyboard, were all deemed "talented," and they enjoyed the experience. Well, they should be accomplished. Their father (my son) beganto develop his musical talent at the age of five through Carillon's music program. We didn't have a piano, but Carillon helped us rent a small electric keyboard until we acquired a piano. And now his kids were playing in the Grove. What a circle.
And I do believe, like Dalley, that these connections make good (and safe) neighborhoods.
There will be another Gathering at the Grove on Saturday, June 21, beginning at 10 a.m. These gatherings have the objective of transforming The Groveinto a vibrant, welcoming and creative space for all ages. You are invited to bring your instruments, art, ideas and smiles. Say hello to everyone. Bring a friend. For more details, visit "Friends of the Grove - Surrey BC" on Facebook, or contact Dalley at davidanderin@dalley.ca or Bob at dharbinder@hotmail. com.
Remember, when you enter the Grove, look left for buses and look inside for happiness. That's what the posted sign says, so it must be true.
Projects like Friends of the Grove are powered by people, and don't get government funding. Surrey is blessed with plenty of people doing creative things, and the result is a vibrant and active community-theatre scene with many choices of great live theatre. Funding is always a problem, unless you are lucky enough to get government grants. As we have all noticed, government grants can be given - or taken away - quite easily.
Fraser Valley Gilbert & Sullivan Society says "The critics love us!" Putting on my critic's hat, I have to agree. Their last production, HMS Pinafore, was one of the best I've ever seen. But, despite what this group calls "heroic efforts to save money and still put on an excellent show, our productions do not make enough money to break even." Right now, they do receive some of this mystical government funding (much appreciated, by the way), but it is best if you don't have to rely on anything but your own efforts.
So, let's talk about fundraising. A creative group has a creative solution. FVGSS is hosting "The Great Canadian Ceilidh" on June 14 at North Delta's Firehall Centre of the Arts. This absolutely fabulous evening of entertainment will cost you only $10 to get in.Music by Adrian Duncan and members of Skystone. The music will feature just about every iconic Canadian folk artist. It should be a stompin' good time.
Want to get tickets? Contact the FVGSS at fvgssinformation@gmail.com. Worthy project, and if the society could raise even a few thousand dollars each year, they would not have to rely on government funding. Just volunteers to run the show and "bums in seats." Go to the ceilidh - even if you don't know how to pronounce the word.
melminty@telus.net