Memories & Musings
March, 2021

Music in the Hall

By Leona Keraiff

This month’s family story is both a musical journey and an example of community spirit. The prominent characters are familiar to many of us…

Gina Medhurst’s first encounters with our community hall started in elementary school band, led by Kirsten Verhoeven and David Zaiss. The Clarinet was her first instrument of choice, then the Bass Clarinet, followed by the Oboe and anything else Kirsten could get her to play. Jim Donald’s community band, lovingly called  the “Dorkestra”, was next for Gina when she added the Baritone Saxophone and French Horn to her repertoire. The present day “Many Bays Community Band” is a mainstay of the East Shore though sadly, not during Covid. Highlights for Gina were when the amazing Donnie Clark would “pop in” to band class. 

Gina’s Mom, Lorna Robin, is also musically inclined. “The Applesauce Fiddlers put on an event one year that really raised the rafters, ‘The Heritage Fiddle Project’. We had Zav Rokeby-Thomas as our special guest performer; she is a wonderful fiddler from Creston who was living on Saltspring Island at that time.  Our group (five fiddles, cello, accordion, bodhran) had workshops with Zav in the hall for two days, and for the performance we played heritage tunes from across Canada and later played for a contradance that was called by a lady from Sandpoint.  The hall was so packed that night, and everyone was dancing, elders and little ones joining hands and everyone in between.  That was 2008 I think. I remember our granddaughter Rowan dancing with Peggy Tugwell.”  Gina’s Dad, John Smith added ”And I played the drum!” Daughter Rowan said “Grandma taught me violin, Jacqueline (Wedge) the piano & I learned marimbas at school”.

Gina’s husband Cory first spotted Gina when she was performing in “God’s Country” in high school. This was one of Doreen Zaiss’ most famous theatre productions held in the hall. The following year, both Gina & Cory appeared on stage together for Doreen’s version of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’.

When asked about the Fall Fair, all five members of this family responded. John organized the “photography” competition with Dena Kabota, Cory entered his ironwork (until Tony Waterfall decided to enter!), Gina & Rowan both competed when they were kids, while Lorna enjoyed the tea and cake.

Lorna stated ”I also remember the New Year’s Dances that were a yearly event in the early 1980’s.  A band was hired and everyone was dressed in their best.  There were some couples who knew all the moves and danced so smoothly, I always liked to watch them. Dances of the time were the waltz, foxtrot, 2-step, and polka.” At this point John admitted to having “two left feet.” The three Medhurst's all LOVED the New Year’s Dance that was 50’s style: balloons full of tickets, Allan Hughes’ photo booth, Will & Michelle’s music. 

On the subject of the Crawford Bay Hall Board: Gina has served for 16 years (as the treasurer for most and for the past few as Chair). “Finally purchasing the Land from School District 8 was a definite highlight. The negotiations were history making,” she stated.

Lorna added, “I spent some time on the Hall Board and also on the Park Board, which was separate at that time.  During my time on the board we decided to combine the two in order to maximize efficiencies, and asked the RDCK for a referendum to raise tax money for the hall and park, which was quite controversial. It passed the second time around. Before then, there were ongoing fundraising efforts to keep the hall and park kept up and then, as now, volunteer burnout was a problem.  Having some tax money eased the burden for volunteers, who always seemed to be the same few people.  Then as now some things don’t change! I am excited to see the efforts now going on to revitalize our Community Hall.  I know it will bring a new generation back for many kinds of celebrations.”

Gina organized Christmas Hampers in the hall for four years. Lorna helped lead “Brownies” and John spent time in the hall when he was one of many leaders of the 1st Crawford Bay Scouts during the 80’s.  John & Cory both donated ironwork to countless silent auctions & fundraisers. John particularly mentioned “Starbelly” in its infancy, raising funds in the hall.

Personal family treasured memories: Rowan remembers the school lunch program fondly! “Terry Fiddick makes the best spanakopita & caesar salad.” Gina added that when “Mom’s & Tots began in the small hall during those early lunch days Terry passed her delights through the wee window to us.” Rowan also mentioned “Youth Group” activities eg: Vienna’s Horror Movie Night. “Matt terrifying all of us kids”. The Haunted House. Also “Lea Belcourt’s Bingo and movie nights were so fun.” Rowan gleefully recalled that kids were told the backstage of the hall was ”haunted” and then “we locked them in!”

Cory enthusiastically told me that he & Gina attended a four part parenting course with Alvin & Teeka Dunic in the hall. “I knew him as Diana’s husband and Dominique’s Step Dad for years, as “Mr. Dunic” the teacher, then there he was as a new Dad himself, willing to learn and to share. I made a new friend.” 

When queried about the Community Christmas dinners the family unanimously replied 

“Very special and memorable”. 

“Our wedding reception” Gina & Cory exclaimed. “Lee Ballash catered, “Mystery Train” played (John convinced them to reunite for this event!),165 family & friends, tailgate parties in the parking lot and the best surprise - Maureen Draper made my wedding gown and when I went to pay for it Maureen & Eddy said “It is a gift”!