PRIME TIMERS NANAIMO NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2018 - Volume 3: Number 1

Prime Timers Nanaimo is an active, non-profit social group. Our goal is to foster positive interaction for our members by facilitating a variety of social, recreational and educational activities in the Nanaimo and Central Vancouver Island area.

President’s Message 2017 was the first full year of activities for our Nanaimo Chapter of Prime Timers World Wide. It was a year of experimentation which saw the Chapter trying out Morning Coffees, Pub Nights, Potlucks, Picnics, Dining Out, and Day Trips to Bowser for a Corn Roast sponsored by the Victoria chapter, to Gabriola and Salt Spring Islands and Monthly Meetings with speakers on various topics. Except for the Monthly Meetings, all events were well attended. In 2017, events were, for the most part, organized by Board Members. At the Annual General Meeting (AGM) on December 15th, a proposal for a Perpetual Calendar administered by an Event Co-ordinator was approved. This proposal puts the initiation and organization of many events in the hands of Members instead of always relying on the Board. It is quite frankly another experiment. Its success depends on Members volunteering ideas and effort. Hopefully, it will result in the Chapter’s activities being more closely aligned with Members’ wants and needs. At the AGM, our Chapter also elected its Board of Directors for the calendar year 2018. The following Members were elected to the Board: Wiley Fargen, Don Gillett, Bob Harkabus, George Loepp, Doug MacIntyre, Bert Mountney and Doug Paterson. Doug MacIntyre and Bert Mountney are new to the Board. The other members are returning Directors from 2017, including Founding Directors, Bob Harkabus and George Loepp. Former Director and President, Rick Amelotte, did not stand for re-election. The Board recognizes the considerable time and effort Rick devoted to getting the chapter going in its first full year and extends its thanks for that time and effort. We hope other members will also express their gratitude to Rick. Your newly elected Prime Timers Nanaimo Board of Directors held its first meeting on December 18th to assign the roles of the officers. This action is in accord with the pattern established by Prime Timers World Wide. This pattern has the Members electing the Directors at the Annual General Meeting and then those Directors electing the Chapter’s Officers rather than the Officers being elected directly by the Members. While all Directors [email protected] Page 1 have the responsibility to attend Board meetings and vote on Chapter directions, named Officers have specified responsibilities in conducting the operations of the Chapter. In addition to the 2017 offices of President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer and the three Signing Officers, the Board decided to create two new offices: Newsletter Editor and Event Coordinator. The results of the election for 2018 are: President Wiley Fargen [email protected] Vice President Doug Paterson [email protected] Secretary Don Gillett [email protected] Treasurer Don Gillett [email protected] Newsletter Editor Doug MacIntyre [email protected] Event Coordinator Doug MacIntyre [email protected] Signing Officer 1 Don Gillett [email protected] Signing Officer 2 George Loepp [email protected] Signing Officer 3 Doug Paterson [email protected]

Don Gillett will be acting Newsletter Editor until Doug MacIntyre is ready to take over. Likewise, Wiley Fargen will be acting Event Coordinator until Doug MacIntyre is ready to take over. Members with business should however contact Doug during both the transitions.

The responsibilities of each officer are spelled out in the Board Minutes of December 18th, 2017. Copies of previous Minutes of both Board and General Membership meeting are available, on request, from the Secretary.

We look forward to more activities and more varieties of activities in 2018. Your suggestions will be crucial in making this happen. Board Members are in attendance at weekly Coffee Mornings and Pub Nights so that every Member has the opportunity to discuss their ideas with a Board Member face to face. We look forward to greeting you at these events. We also welcome e-mail communications concerning your ideas or concerns. If you’re not sure who to contact, send your e-mail to me [email protected] and I’ll direct it to the proper Officer or the Board as a whole.

Best wishes for the New Year!

Wiley

[email protected] Page 2 Minutes of the PT Nanaimo Annual General Meeting Date: December 15, 2017 at 7:30 PM Venue: St Paul’s Anglican Church, (St Mathew Room), 100 Chapel St., Nanaimo

Attendance: Wiley F., Doug P., Don G., George L., Bob H., Michael C., Bud F., Doug Mac., Bert M., Bruce M. Regrets: Rick A.

1. Call to order at 7:32 PM by Wiley F. (VP / Chair)

2. Agenda a) No additions, deletions or modifications b) Bruce moved to accept the Agenda as presented by Wiley, seconded by Michael and carried.

3. Minutes from the last Annual General Meeting a) Bill Bard who chaired the last Annual General Meeting didn’t take any minutes; so Wiley outlined that the focus of the last AGM was to approve the cost of the new Post Office Box and future room rentals for the year of 2017.

4. Treasurer’s Report a) Don presented a Balance Sheet showing opening balance in December 2016 of $89.10 and current balance of $514.10 (bank balance of $464.10 & cash-on-hand of $50). b) Going forward for the balance of 2017 our expected costs will be $30.00 for the church room rental, $174.30 for the post office box and $2.00 USD for each PTN member payable to Prime Timers Worldwide based on our membership as of December 31, 2017. c) It was moved by Bruce to accept the Treasurer’s report as presented and seconded by Doug P. and carried.

5. Explanation of the Election Procedure a) Wiley explained how the election or acclamation of the board members will work and that the new board will be convened separately to decide on which members of the board will fill the officer positions. b) The new board of directors will decide how many officer positions will exist in 2018.

6. Collection of Dues for 2017-2018 a) Five couples signed up at $35.00 per couple.

7. Call for Members Willing to Serve on the Board a) Seven members indicated that they would stand for being on the board of directors. [email protected] Page 3 8. Decision regarding the Number of Board Members a) There was some discussion on whether there should be 7 or 5 board members but it was decided to accept all 7 members who indicated that they would serve.

9. Acclamation a. The following members were acclaimed to the board of directors: Wiley Fargen Don Gillett Bob Harkabus George Loepp Doug MacIntyre Bert Mountney Doug Paterson

b. Bruce moved that we accept the new seven member board of directors and it was seconded by Michael and then carried.

10. Review of Periodic Activities a. There was a lot of lively discussion about this section of the meeting. It was decided as follows: b. Weekly Pub Nights and Weekly Coffee Hours are well attended and should remain as is. c. Occasional or regularly scheduled Dining Out or Pot Lucks should continue. d. Monthly General Meetings are not needed and to keep the atmosphere social. e. Annual General Meetings are a requirement.

11. Perpetual Events Calendar a) Wiley presented a sample of the perpetual events calendar and sign-up sheet along with explaining how it would work in theory. b) There was a lot of discussion about this subject too. It was decided to tweak the calendar a bit and we would try to see if it will work for PT Nanaimo and whether the members will use it. The idea is that this calendar will evolve to PTN’s needs. c) Doug P. moved that we accept to try this new event calendar and sign-up sheet and this was seconded by Bert and carried.

12. New Business a) None

13. Adjournment was at 8:35 PM

Following the Annual General Meeting there was coffee, cookies and a wonderful chocolate cake provided by George L. and Bob H. [email protected] Page 4 ******************************************************************

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PUB NIGHT: This It has been decided that since the Pub Night is so popular, it will Photo by now be an on-going WEEKLY event! Every Monday at 5:00 PM Unkno at the Jingle Pot Pub on Jingle Pot Road at Nanaimo Parkway. wn Author Come out and join us for cold beer, good food and great is conversation! license d under *********************************************************CC BY COFFEE & CONVERSATION: COFFEE & CONVERSATION NOW EVERY WEDNESDAY! We will meet at McDonalds on Rutherford at 09:30 AM on every Wednesday morning. Always a good time for everyone attending!

********************************************************* MEMBERSHIPS: It’s that time… renew your membership for 2018! Fees remain unchanged - $20 per single or $35 per couple. You can pay at any of our events or by contacting any of the Directors.

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[email protected] Page 5 ENTERTAINMENT AROUND NANAIMO

LADYSMITH LITTLE THEATRE

The next Ladysmith Little Theatre Production: The Kitchen Witches by Caroline Smith; Directed by Josee Duffhues

Feb 15-March 4, 2018

Isobel Lomax and Dolly Biddle are two "mature" cable-accesses cooking show hostesses who have hated each other for 30 years, ever since Larry Biddle dated one and married the other. Together on a TV show called The Kitchen Witches, the insults are flung harder than the food! Dolly's long-suffering TV-producer son Stephen tries to keep them on track, but the show becomes a rating smash as Dolly and Isobel top both Martha Stewart and !

NANAIMO THEATRE GROUP

Written by: Richard Harris Published by: Samuel French Inc. Directed by: Sheila Coultish Produced by: Janet Hepples Evenings (8:00 pm): Feb 21 - Feb 24, Feb 28, Mar 1 - Mar 3, Mar 7 - Mar 10

Matinees (2:00 pm): Feb 25, Mar 4 Former professional chorus girl, Mavis, runs a tap dance class in the local church hall attended by seven women and one brave solitary male! This mixed bag of characters brings their stories to the weekly classes, where friendships develop and tensions arise. As we follow them to the season finale, we connect with this lovable group and relate to the highs and lows of their lives with affection and laughter. 1984 Comedy of the Year award winner, Stepping Out is currently enjoying a revival and extended run in . Tickets: $20

[email protected] Page 6 THEATRE ONE

God is a Scottish Drag Queen: The Second Coming created by Canadian comedian Mike Delamont

Fri. and Sat. January 26 & 27 | 7:30pm

Back by popular demand! In one of the funniest stand-up routines ever, the omnipotent playwright as the Almighty returns to Nanaimo to confirm our misunderstanding of Him and what he really thinks about humanity. Don’t miss this Second Coming!

HARBOUR CITY THEATRE

A co-production with Kismet Theatre Collective

As part of our all-Canuck season, we bring you this classic Canadian comedy- thriller. Daisy has brought Rafe, a charming would-be country-western singer, back to her high-rise apartment. When her boytoy starts to reveal a darker side, however, Daisy is glad her best friend Sharon is just a phone call away. Turns out Daisy is a little too trusting. Join us as we transport you back to the 1970s, the era of shag rugs and landlines and phone cords that can be ripped from the wall, in a play that is as harrowing as it is hilarious. Featuring Blaine Nosworthy and Tash Vincze Directed by Bonnie Catterson Feb. 2, 3, 8, 9, 10 – 7:30 pm Feb. 4, 11 – 2 pm

Harbour City Theatre, 25 Victoria Rd., Nanaimo Audience advisory: Adult content ********************************************************* Movie Review The Shape of Water Synopsis: An other-worldly fairy tale, set against the backdrop of Cold War era America circa 1963. In the hidden high-security government laboratory where she works, lonely Elisa (Sally Hawkins) is trapped in a life of silence and isolation. Elisa's life is changed forever when she and co-worker Zelda (Octavia Spencer) discover a secret classified experiment. Starring: Sally Hawkins, Octavia Spencer, Michael Shannon, Richard Jenkins Directed by: Guillermo del Toro

This was a difficult film to review; it was quite unlike anything we’ve seen for a while. I’d describe it as a fantasy-love story; like Frankenstein’s monster or Beauty & the Beast where two very lonely characters find each other. The use of music and cinematography was spectacular (especially colours and black & white). If you like artsy style fantasy this movie is for you. [email protected] Page 7 On Screen at the Galaxy Cinema in Nanaimo

OPERA THE EXTERMINATING ANGEL Met Premiere Conductor: Thomas Adès Featuring: Audrey Luna, Alice Coote Synopsis: The Met presents the American premiere of Thomas Adès’s The Exterminating Angel, inspired by the classic Luis Buñuel film of the same name. Hailed by the New York Times at its 2016 Salzburg Festival premiere as “inventive and audacious … a major event,” The Exterminating Angel is a surreal fantasy about a dinner party from which the guests can’t escape. Tom Cairns, who wrote the libretto, directs the new production, and Adès conducts his own adventurous new opera. Encores: January 7, January 13

Puccini TOSCA New Production Conductor: Emmanuel Villaume Featuring: Sonya Yoncheva; Vittorio Grigolo, Željko Lučić

Synopsis: Rivaling the splendor of Franco Zeffirelli’s Napoleonic-era sets and costumes, Sir David McVicar’s ravishing new production offers a splendid backdrop for extraordinary singing. Sonya Yoncheva stars as the title prima donna alongside Vittorio Grigolo and Bryn Terfel. Emmanuel Villaume conducts. Dates: January 27, 2018 (Live) Encores: February 17, February 26, February 28, March 3, March 11

Donizetti L’ELISIR D’AMORE Conductor: Domingo Hindoyan (debut) Featuring: Pretty Yende, Matthew Polenzani

Synopsis: Pretty Yende debuts a new role at the Met as the feisty Adina, opposite Matthew Polenzani, who enthralled Met audiences as Nemorino in 2013 with his ravishing “Una furtiva lagrima.” Bartlett Sher’s production is charming, with deft comedic timing, but also emotionally revealing. Domingo Hindoyan conducts. Dates: February 10, 2018 (Live) Encores: March 17, March 19, March 21, March 24, April 1

[email protected] Page 8 On Screen at the Galaxy Cinema in Nanaimo

YOUNG MARX - National Theatre Live Cast: Rory Kinnear, Oliver Chris Synopsis: Rory Kinnear (The Threepenny Opera, Penny Dreadful, Othello) is Marx and Oliver Chris (Twelfth Night, Green Wing) is Engels, in this new comedy written by Richard Bean and Clive Coleman. Broadcast live from The Bridge Theatre, London, the production is directed by Nicholas Hytner and reunites the creative team behind Broadway and West End hit comedy One Man, Two Guvnors. 1850, and Europe’s most feared terrorist is hiding in Dean Street, Soho. Broke, restless and horny, the thirty-two-year-old revolutionary is a frothing combination of intellectual brilliance, invective, satiric wit, and child-like emotional illiteracy. Creditors, spies, rival revolutionary factions and prospective seducers of his beautiful wife all circle like vultures. His writing blocked, his marriage dying, his friend Engels in despair at his wasted genius, his only hope is a job on the railway. But there’s still no one in the capital who can show you a better night on the piss than Karl Heinrich Marx. Showtimes: February 03

Puccini LA BOHÈME Conductor: Marco Armiliato Featuring: Sonya Yoncheva; Michael Fabiano

Synopsis: The world’s most popular opera returns in Franco Zeffirelli’s classic production starring a cast of young stars, including Sonya Yoncheva as the fragile Mimì and Michael Fabiano as the poet Rodolfo. Marco Armiliato conducts. Dates: February 24, 2018 (Live) Encores: April 7, April 9, April 11, April 15, May 5

BALLET THE BOLSHOI BALLET - ROMEO AND JULIET New Production In Verona, Romeo and Juliet fall madly in love while their respective families, the Montagues and the Capulets, are caught in a bitter rivalry ending in heart-wrenching tragedy… Alexei Ratmansky, former artistic director of the Bolshoi Ballet, stages the company’s premiere of his production with dramatic urgency and a fresh re-telling of Shakespeare’s beloved classic. His brilliant and detailed adaptiation set to Prokofiev’s romantic and cinematic score, reignites the story of literature’s most celebrated star-crossed lovers like no other classical ballet choreographer today. Showtimes: JAN 21, 2018

[email protected] Page 9 On Screen at the Galaxy Cinema in Nanaimo

THE BOLSHOI BALLET - THE LADY OF THE CAMELLIAS At a theatre performance of ‘Manon Lescaut’, the young and naive Armand is utterly captivated after meeting the ravishing and most desirable courtesan Marguerite Gautier. Their encounter gives birth to a passionate yet doomed love… Alexandre Dumas fils’s novel comes to life on the Bolshoi stage, with prima Svetlana Zakharova as the ailing Marguerite seeking love and redemption from her life as a courtesan. The Bolshoi brings choreographer John Neumeier’s work of rare beauty and tragic depth to new emotional heights, accompanied by Chopin’s romantic piano score. Showtimes: FEB 11, 2018

STAGE - National Theatre Live Cast: Imelda Staunton, Tracie Bennett, Synopsis: ’s legendary musical is staged for the first time at the National Theatre and broadcast live to cinemas. New York, 1971. There’s a party on the stage of the Weismann Theatre. Tomorrow the iconic building will be demolished. Thirty years after their final performance, the Follies girls gather to have a few drinks, sing a few songs and lie about themselves. Tracie Bennett, Janie Dee and Imelda Staunton play the magnificent Follies in this dazzling new production. Featuring a cast of 37 and an orchestra of 21, it’s directed by (The Comedy of Errors). Winner of Academy, Tony, Grammy and Olivier awards, Sondheim’s previous work includes A Little Night Music, Sweeney Todd and Sunday in the Park with George. Showtimes: JAN 20, 2018

Oscar Wilde Season: A Woman of No Importance Filmed live at the Vaudeville Theatre, London on 28 November 2017.

Synopsis: Olivier award-winner and BAFTA-nominated actress Anne Reid star in this new production of Oscar Wilde’s glittering and witty comedy directed by Dominic Dromgoole, and classically staged at the Vaudeville Theatre in London’s West End. Showtimes: JAN 18, 2018

[email protected] Page 10 On Screen at the Galaxy Cinema in Nanaimo

Cyrano de Bergerac (French w/e.s.t.) - Comédie-Française Cast: Denis Podalydès Synopsis: Cyrano is cursed with a prominent nose but gifted with words. He uses this talent to help handsome Christian win Roxane’s heart, whom he also loves... “When we, comedians of la Comédie-Française, stage plays, we consciously feel this desire to show off this theatre of ours, to show everyone why we love it and why we want to be here.” With these words in mind, award-winning director, stage and cinema actor Denis Podalydès takes over the historical stage. Opera buffa, tragedy, romantic drama, symbolist poetry, slapstick comedy… all genres are called upon to give life to this staging of one of the most emblematic texts of the French repertoire! Showtimes: FEB 14, 2018

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof - National Theatre Live Cast: Sienna Miller, Jack O'Connell, Colm Meaney Synopsis: Tennessee Williams' twentieth century masterpiece Cat on a Hot Tin Roof played a strictly limited season in London's West End in 2017. Following his smash hit production of A Streetcar Named Desire, Benedict Andrews' 'thrilling revival' (New York Times) stars Sienna Miller alongside, Jack O'Connell and Colm Meaney. On a steamy night in Mississippi, a Southern family gather at their cotton plantation to celebrate Big Daddy's birthday. The scorching heat is almost as oppressive as the lies they tell. Brick and Maggie dance round the secrets and sexual tensions that threaten to destroy their marriage. With the future of the family at stake, which version of the truth is real - and which will win out? Showtimes: Feb 22, 2018, Feb 25, 2018

CLASSIC FILMS Charade Directed by: Stanley Donen Cast: Cary Grant, Audrey Hepburn Synopsis: After Regina Lampert (Audrey Hepburn) falls for the dashing Peter Joshua (Cary Grant) on a skiing holiday in the French Alps, she discovers upon her return to Paris that her husband has been murdered. Soon, she and Peter are giving chase to three of her late husband's World War II cronies, Tex (James Coburn), Scobie (George Kennedy) and Gideon (Ned Glass), who are after a quarter of a million dollars the quartet stole while behind enemy lines. But why does Peter keep changing his name? Admission (taxes included): $6.99 Showtimes: January 28, January 31

[email protected] Page 11 ◄ December January 2018 February ► Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 New Year's Day 2 3 4 5 6 McCafe NO PUB NIGHT coffee @ 9:30 AM

Reaching Out at Brechin Untied Chruch @ 7 PM 7 8 9 10 11 Sir John A. 12 13 The Exterminating Jingle Pot McCafe Macdonald Day The Exterminating Angel Angel Pub @ 5 PM coffee @ 9:30 AM

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Jingle Pot McCafe Oscar Wilde: A Follies Woman of No (National Theatre Pub @ 5 PM coffee @ Importance Live) 9:30 AM

21 22 23 24 25 Robbie Burns 26 27 Romeo & Juliet Jingle Pot McCafe Day God is a Scottish Tosca (live) Drag Queen Pub @ 5 PM coffee @ God is a Scottish 9:30 AM Drag Queen

28 29 30 31 Classic Film: Jingle Pot McCafe Charade Pub @ 5 PM coffee @ 9:30 AM

Classic Film: Charade

[email protected] Page 12