Under His Eye! Scribbles Pal is Leaving His Mayor Position

ENCORE POST FROM 2018 - FILMING WAS 2017-2018

Here is our FAVOURITE photo from The Handmaid's Tale at David & Jim's place...

RETRO REVIEW | DCT'S The Red Velvet Cake War | 2016

Dunnville Community Theatre's latest production HILDA'S YARD begins this coming Friday and if it's anything like the plays DCT typically presents, it will be another memorable event. Many Scribbles friends are in this play, including our pal Judy Wenjina in the title role. 

Here's the storyline for HILDA'S YARD as featured on DCT's website.... 

"It’s Friday, September 28, 1956, and excitement is high in the Fluck household. Sam and Hilda are newly minted empty-nesters now that their 33-year-old son Gary has finally moved out. 

Sam’s first act of freedom? Buying their very first console TV. But forces far beyond their control are about to upend those plans.

This warm and witty Norm Foster comedy sweeps through joy, frustration, nostalgia, and everything in between — ultimately celebrating the love and steadfast support that hold a family together."

Scribbles will be attending this Saturday's production with my sister Kim (for the show only) and we look forward to seeing our friends both on stage and in the audience (that means YOU, Ritchie's mom Michelle.)

Here's another RETRO REVIEW of another fantastic DCT show. The Red Velvet Cake War. Featured in the play were two DCT members that are angels now, Julie Turner and Michael Maloney.

The Dunnville Community Theatre continued to amaze audiences with their production of The Red Velvet Cake War by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope & James Wooten.

The comedy is set in Sweetgum, Texas and revolves around the wacky members of the Verdeen gang as they prepare for a dysfunctional family reunion. Cousins Gaynelle, Peaches and Jimmy Wy wager a bet with mean ol’ Aunt La Merle that Gaynelle will bake a better red velvet than her and what pursues is pure hilarity. Theft, a tornado, an ill-fitting glass eye and an amorous psychologist are but a few of the things that made everyone in the house laugh out loud.

What set this production apart from some of DCT’s other recent shows, was the size of the cast. Past productions have seen 3 or 4 actors portraying multiple roles, while The Red Velvet Cake War featured 9 actors portraying 12 characters (that’s a lot of quick costume changes, wigs and accessories.) It was refreshing to see new faces among our familiar favourites.

DCT President and director of the Red Velvet Cake War, Nancy Erskine, sat with my neighbour Deanna and I, for a front row experience that has us in stitches and wanting more.

The cast of The Red Velvet Cake War included Sheila Scumacher, (Cee Cee), Judy Wenjina, (Gaynelle), Ellen Bloomfield, (La Merle), Michael Maloney, (Aubrey and Purvis). Candace Stern (Peaches), Julie Turner, (Jimmie), Diane Morris, (Bitsy and Mama Doll), Jordan Heron, (Newt and Grover) and Tracey Stirling (Elsa). Behind-the-scenes, the crew included Linda, Everett, Ritchie, Chris and Wendy.

Another 5 star production from the little community theatre that continues to grow and astound us.

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Win Cool Canada Swag!

ADDITIONAL CONTEST RULES: You must be either a Facebook friend of Ken's or be on Scribbles email list to enter One entry per person. You may list as many things as you wish about Canada that make you feel proud. Negative comments will not be accepted and you will not be entered in our draw. Expiry date to be determined. 

SCRIBBLES VIDEO | Mr. Sock Goes to Haliburton

Our friends Renee & Norm won our recent Mr. Sock's Birthday Contest. 

Here's a brief video featuring Mr. Sock prior to shipping the prizes to Renee and Norm, followed by Renee showing us what her dog thinks of Mr. Sock. Plus she has a little fun hiding Mini Mr. Sock.

 

RETRO REVIEW | DCT's Original Production 'Next' Had All the Feels | 2024

Over the years, Scribbles has had the privilege of attending many live plays put on by our talented friends at Dunnville Community Theatre (DCT). DCT is putting on a new production starting June 19th (Hilda's Yard), so we are reposting reviews from some of our favourite past productions..

We don't go back quite as far as some of our other Retro Reviews. This one was from two years ago and it was an original production called 'Next'. 

PHOTOS COUTESY: KIM PAPPLE, DCT WEBSITE, DCT 'NEXT' PROGRAMME, SCRIBBLES 

My Word!

As I have enthusiastically and repeatedly mentioned, on June 15 (2024) my sister Kim and I went to Dunnville to watch the DCT production 'Next'. I wrote a review with lots of pix for Scribbles.co.

DCT pal Claire asked me if I would like to say a few words about the play that might be used in a review of 'Next' in the newspaper The Haldimand Press.

From The Haldimand Press, Valerie Posthumus' review of 'Next' featured in the paper's June 20th edition.

"On June 14, 2024 the Dunnville Community Theatre opened their hilariously funny and moving production of their “home grown play” entitled ‘Next’.

... Ken Leavoy attended the production and had this to say after the show: “My, my, my Delilah, a delicious meal, a touching storyline with nods to local hotspots, and a stellar cast. DCT’s homegrown production ‘Next’ checks all the boxes. A must see for theatre fans.”

WOO HOO... I'm famous now!! LOL!!

HERE'S SCRIBBLES PAST RETRO REVIEWS OF DCT PRODUCTIONS:

Sex Please, We're Sixty

Private Lives

Curtain Up

Just the Ticket

It Can Damage Your Health

Dixie Swim Club

NEW PRODUCTION STARTS FRIDAY

VISIT DCT'S WEBSITE CLICK HERE

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7-7-7 PROMO

This quick clip is a brief 37 seconds, but I can assure you it took considerably more time than that to put together and I would love it if you watch it more than once.

And because I sampled a piece of music in the background, this video is blocked in two locations.  Sorry Scribbles friends in Belarus and Russia. LOL!

 

EVENT |

SCRIBBLES QUICK CLIP | Happy Birthday Shelley

SCRIBBLES QUICK CLIP | 7-7-7 Again????

SCRIBBLES VIDEO | Kim & Ken at Comic Con

My sister Kim & I had never been to Niagara Fall's Comic Con before, so when I recently got a two for one admission coupon in my $5 McDonald's Value Meal we decided we'd go this year.  

Admission at the door was $50 per person, oddly they were only accepting CASH for your admission. This was somewhat puzzling since many of the vendors were taking debit & credit as were the food area vendors, so why not the admission?  Maybe their system was down. 

There was plenty to see and literally hundreds of vendors. Celebrities were also on hand, although many were not going to be there until Saturday. We did see Mindy Cohen (Facts of Life, voice of Velma on Scooby Doo) Lou Ferrigno (The Incredible Hulk) and Vicki Lawrence (The Carol Burnett Show, Mama's Family).

There were also many in attendance in cosplay and that is what truly set this convention apart from others. 

Here's a 2 minute slideshow of some of the vendors and sight we saw at Comic Con. 

 

COMICS | ENCORE | Dog Gone Funnies!

WAIT! You might be missing out on more Scribbles fun...

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SCRIBBLES VIDEO | The Garden's Planted As Mr. Sock Gives Us a Tour

New Scribbles Friend Has An Eye For Detail

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SCRIBBLES QUICK CLIP | Mr. Sock's Pride Message

The Emperor's New Clothes

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RETRO REVIEW | DCT's 'Private Lives' | 2013

Over the years, Scribbles has had the privilege of attending many live plays put on by our talented friends at Dunnville Community Theatre (DCT). DCT is putting on a new production in June (Hilda's Yard), so we are reposting reviews from some of our favourite past productions. 

Today we go back to 2013 with DCT's stellar production of 'Private Lives'. 

Even at the best of times, DCT works with limited funds and a bare-bones stage. Their recent production of Noel Coward’s Private Lives found the small close-knit theatre group dealing with an even greater deficit. 

PLAYBILL WITH CAST -PIX COURTESY DCT

Their theatre is located within the Dunnville Optimist’s Club, which is currently undergoing major renovations. As a result, Private Lives would be presented in an entirely different room and using a temporary make-shift stage.  

Recipe for disaster? Maybe to some, but not when you’re the hardworking guys and gals of the Dunnville Community Theatre. Using minimal props, we were instantly transported to Europe.

“It is the late 1920s and divorcees Elyot and Amanda are honeymooning in the same French hotel with their new spouses Sibyl and Victor.

Inevitably they meet –they are, after all, staying in rooms with adjoining balconies –and so begins "one of the most famous high-comedies ever written”  [quote courtesy DCT’s Private Lives Playbill.]

Returning to the DCT stage were four veteran DCT actors. [Michael Maloney, Diane Morris, Lee Smith & Shayna Maloney] Although their faces were familiar to those who attend DCT plays on a regular basis, their versatility breathed new life and believability into the characters they portrayed this time around. Meanwhile, Candace Stern (“Amanda”) made her DCT acting debut in the show.

With act one completed, it was time for a set change. With no curtain to hide what is usually done behind the scenes, during intermission the audience got to see the stage transformed to a flat in Paris, right before their eyes.

This was something the play’s director Nancy Erskine [left] was not entirely comfortable with, telling Scribbles that they had tried to come up with alternative ideas, such as maybe a second stage in a another part of the room, but this would mean the audience would need to get up and turn their chairs to view act two and three, something that would be disruptive and probably not very well-received.

Not everyone was dissatisfied with the set change being highly visible. My sister Jane Storie, who had joined me for the show, said she found it interesting to get to see the activity which is usually hidden behind the curtain. I guess it’s all a matter of perspective.

With a subtle, but amusing conclusion (with the divorcees reuniting and quietly leaving their new spouses bickering amongst themselves) DCT’s presentation of Noel Coward’s Private Lives drew to a close, receiving loud approving applause from the full capacity audience and the promise of a beaming review from Scribbles.

 

 

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SCRIBBLES VIDEO | We Reveal the Winner of Mr. Sock's Birthday Contest

 Which of our Scribbles friends has won our Mr. Sock's Birthday Contest? Find out in the video below. 

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Summer Tips & Recipes

Scribbles Magazine's August 1992 edition featured a two page Summer pullout centrefold. The special section included recipes and Summer tips. My mom's Pineapple Delight recipe is featured. 

To read our Summer section, click below, for full screen size & you will then be able to zoom in...

Here's the TIPS section info from the post above:

Whether swimming or sailing gardening or get together‘s barbecuing or backpacking. There’s no end to the fun to be had in the summer. Here are a few helpful hints and suggestions to help make your summer and a safe and happy one.

Gardening is not only enjoyable it’s also a practical way to enjoy fresh produce at great savings.

To reduce the insect population in your garden frame garden in onions.

Rabbit manure makes an excellent fertilizer, as does eggshells and old coffee grinds.

To keep birds out of your crop, tie aluminum plates to stakes.

Water, tender young plants with a hand poured cups of your water instead of hose.

Keep your cool by drinking 6 to 8 glasses of water per day

Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun. Its rays are more damaging between 12 and 3 PM.

Pets should never be left out of for extended periods without plenty of food, water and shade Children should always wear light clothing or sunscreen when outdoors

To relieve bee stings, use meat tenderizer.

Cloves, or cucumber skins on kitchen counters keep ants away.

Don’t be fooled by clouds 80% of the suns harmful rays can penetrate cracks clouds so precaution should still be implemented

Camping or boating? first aid kit is a must keep it well stocked with Band-Aids, guys, matches scissors, burn cream, aspirin, rubbing alcohol, and a first aid manual.

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SCRIBBLES VIDEO | Changes

Ken's made a few changes around his home and wanted you to see what he did recently.

 

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"Fire in the Sky"

“If you could kick the person in the pants responsible for most of your trouble, you wouldn’t sit for a month.”
~Theodore Roosevelt

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RETRO REVIEW | DCT's 'Sex Please, We're Sixty' | 2019

Over the years, Scribbles has had the privilege of attending many live plays put on by our talented friends at Dunnville Community Theatre (DCT). DCT is putting on a new production in June (Hilda's Yard), so we are reposting reviews from some of our favourite past productions. 

Today's Retro Review is 2019's Hilarious ' Sex Please We're Sixty'. 

Whenever I go to a Dunnville Community Theatre production, I get an adrenaline rush that you’d typically associate with the show’s cast. This is strange since, unlike the cast, I’m not the one who has spent countless hours meticulously memorizing my lines. I haven’t spent months tirelessly practicing with my co-stars over and over again. I didn’t travel to the Dunnville Anglers & Hunters Club in dark, stormy weather to run through full dress rehearsals, paying particular attention to getting my cues spot on. Yet despite me not doing these things, I still get a rush when the house lights dim and the show begins.

I think this is because the talented members of Dunnville Community Theatre feel more like family than brilliant performers. Their success evokes a joy usually associated with a doting parent and DCT’s rendition of ‘Sex Please, We’re Sixty’ indeed made me feel like a proud papa.

The play takes place at the Rose Cottage Bed & Breakfast, which is run by the disturbingly punctual Mrs. Stancliffe (played by Tracey Stirling). Mrs. Stancliffe has an annoying neighbour named Bud (Darrell Baker). He refers to himself as “Bud the stud”, carries a wallet full of “con-domes” and has the dilution that he is the primary reason ladies return to the bed & breakfast year after year.

Guests to the Rose Cottage include Hillary (Candace Stern), Charmaine (rookie actor Deb Zynomirski) and romance novelist Victoria (Diane Morris). Each of them succumb to Bud’s advances, giving him stiff cause to pop his little blue pills.

THE CAST TAKES A BOW FOR THEIR GRATEFUL AUDIENCE

Rounding off the cast is Henry (Claire Vanden Pol), who has eyes for Mrs. Stancliffe. Henry has invented a little blue pill of his own. His pill -which he calls Venusia- is made to help menopausal women increase their libido.

The plot thickens after one of Henry’s Venusia pills is secretly slipped into one of the ladies iced tea. Hilarity ensues when the guests later discover Bud has been “three-timing” them. Vowing to get even, the ladies plot their revenge by swapping Bud’s Viagra with the Venusia. Bud offers hopelessly devoted Henry advice on romance, then gives him what they believe to be Viagra. Suddenly both men end up with symptoms associated with menopause, symptoms that are acted out with masterful humour (“Sob. Why is it so hot in here?”)

In the end all works out for the lovesick group and the audience showed their approval with thunderous applause.

I attended the show with my sister Kim. We sat front and centre with our friend and director of Sex Please, Nancy Erskine. We often broke into laughter at what was happening on stage. “Even though I’ve seen it before it still makes me laugh,” Nancy told me during intermission. With the high caliber of talent in this show, it was hard not to be amused. No enhancement pill required.

Niagara Kicks Off Pride with Jimbo's Tata's & a Diamond No Longer in the Rough

more photos added...

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Ub La Dee, Ub La Dah, Life Goes On...

Hello Everyone,

Did this post's title make you sing the rest of the lyrics from that Beatles song? LOL. Our Scribbles friends continue to enjoy a variety of activities and in this installment of WHAT'S NEW WITH YOU we have friends making bold new moves, celebrating special occasions and receiving awards. Take a few minutes and check it all out.

originally posted MAY 24, 2026

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RETRO REVIEWS | DCT's CURTAIN UP! | 2012

Over the years, Scribbles has had the privilege of attending many live plays put on by our talented friends at Dunnville Community Theatre (DCT).

 
DCT is putting on a new production in June (Hilda's Yard), so over the next several weeks, we are reposting reviews from some of our favourite past productions. 

Past Retro Reviews (links):  'It Can Damage Your Health', 'The Dixie Swim Club' and 'Just the Ticket'.

Today we relive the hilarious 'Curtain Up!' Judging by our review of the 2012 production, we were really taken with the cast and the wacky characters they portrayed. 

FULL STEAM AHEAD...

 Scribbles Reviews The Dunnville Community Theatre's Production of "Curtain Up!"

There's something about watching a live production at the Dunnville Community Theatre that always brings to mind the story of the Little Engine That Could. You know the one...the small train engine who bravely does what the big engines couldn't, carrying a heavy load to the top of the mountain, all the while repeating to itself  "I think I can, I think I can".

In many ways, the Dunnville Community Theatre (DCT) reminds me a lot of that little engine. The close-knit community group may be small and may not have massive resources, but that never seems to stand in the way when it comes to bringing big production values to its slightly weathered stage.

Proof that DCT's vocabulary doesn't include the word "can't" was evident in its latest live show Curtain Up! The British comedy by Peter Quilter tells the story of Michael, a recently deceased theatre owner, who leaves the dilapidated building to the five women in his life, his wife, daughter, mother, ex-wife and secretary. Hilarity follows as the 5 women quarrel over ways of bringing revenue back to the theatre. When Liza Minelli agrees to a one night performance, the ladies are elated at the prospects - that is until the night of the event when Minelli cancels, leaving them scrambling for a way to keep the show from going bust.

Breathing life and believability into the characters were Kathryn Stengel as Michael's wife Pam, Carolyn Jones as his daughter Theresa, Maureen Jones at his mother Betty, Shayna Maloney as secretary Sharon and Julie Turner as ex-wife Jackie.

It didn't take long for the audience to become captivated with the characters as they laughed, cried, danced and aerobicized their way through the clever storyline.

And while each performer held her own, Maureen Jones often stole the scene with impromptu antics which included a birds eye view of what lay beneath her wardrobe. LOL!

In the Curtain Up programme, director (and Scribbles enthusiast) Nancy Erskine [left] referred to the play as a love letter to the theatre.

"It is a communal experience that we share - as artists and audience", says Nancy, "And Curtain Up! exemplifies the joy and spirit the theatre has to offer everyone".

"We can come here and simply be...entertained" she later concluded.

That's something the Dunnville Community Theatre have continued to do for 40 years now. This little engine truly knows it can.....and thankfully for us, shows no sign of running out of steam anytime soon.