LITTLE CURRENT—For the first time since the COVID-19 lockdown, George Williamson and Friends put in an appearance at the Little Current United Church Hall last Friday evening to once again both entertain and fundraise for the Manitoulin Family Resources food bank.
This event is the first in several years. Prior to the lockdown, the winter months saw an average crowd of 50 people come out to enjoy the country strains of George Williamson and Friends every two weeks, have a dance or two and enjoy fellowship.
Fundraising for the food bank is by donation, explained John Hodder who welcomed everyone to the event on behalf of the Little Current United Church.
Last Friday, George Williamson’s “friends” included fellow musicians Dale Wood on rhythm guitar and crooner and rhythm man Tom Beamish.
But the evening provided the small but enthusiastic crowd with several more impromptu “friends” that gave the event both a pan-Manitoulin and international flair.
David Richard and Lauriane Savoie are French nationals who have been exploring Canada on a “work away” capacity for well over a year. (“Work Away” means that you provide labour or do tasks for people who in turn provide you with room and board.)
Mr. Richard and Ms. Savoie are doing just that on Manitoulin just now and their hosts, having seen the ad for the event in last week’s Expositor, told them about it so they turned up, and Mr. Richard brought along his autoharp, sitting in with the Island musicians for songs both before and after the coffee break intermission.
Mr. Richard and Ms. Savoie have recently arrived on Manitoulin after spending a year in the Yukon. They are working their way across the country with a goal of exploring the Maritime Provinces and Newfoundland before they, hopefully, return to the far North next summer where they hope to be employed in Nunavut.
But these weren’t the only new friends that Mr. Williamson, only three weeks on from being installed as a new member of the Northern Ontario Country Music Association’s ‘Great Northern Opry’ in the Soo, sat down with last Friday.
Leslie Neshkiwe, from Little Current, before she sang, explained how important fundraising events like this are to the Island community.
Ms. Neshkiwe explained that, when she moved to Little Current 15 years ago as a single mother, she had needed the services of the food bank and, emotionally, stressed how important it was to give back in this way. She sang a poignant and unusual version of the anthem ‘Amazing Grace’ as one of her offerings.
The final special guest was Eugene Manitowabi from Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory, a fellow member of the Great Northern Oprey with Mr. Williamson.
Not only did former Chief Manitowabi sing, but he also told some stories that kept the crowd laughing. A Merle Haggard fan, Mr. Manitowabi said ‘Holding Things Together.’
It was a good first pre-winter outing for George Williamson and Friends who also perform outdoors all summer long on Friday evenings at the Soldier Park in downtown Little Current where they also raise funds and awareness for the Manitoulin food bank there.
The next event will be on Friday, December 8, beginning at 7 pm at the Little Current United Church Hall. There is no charge for these events but monetary donations to the food bank are appreciated.
