Sonja and Robert McArthur are hoping to raise up to $15,000 for local food banks with one big event.
They are calling it We Dream Big – a night of food, community, inspiration and entertainment.
Robert said the initial motivation for the event was to provide a live music event that the farming community would be able to attend, because many of the local music events happen during the busy summer farming season.
Sonja said, if they were going to put on a concert, they should build an event around it.
With the rise of food bank use making headlines locally and across the country, the McArthurs decided St. Luke’s Community Food Bank and Clearview-Stayner Food Bank would be worthwhile beneficiaries.
Robert said helping people is in Sonja’s genes.
“My parents’ heart and soul was helping people,” said Sonja of her mother and father, who was a minister, working with different missions to help those in need.
“Everybody thinks of the food banks at Christmastime but it’s a year-round problem,” said Robert.
The tickets cost $100 each, and with many in-kind contributions and donations, the hope is to direct a lot of the proceeds to the food banks, which have seen increased use in past years.
The event will feature keynote speaker Elizabeth Manley.
Manley, who now lives in Collingwood, won silver medals at the 1988 Olympic and the 1988 World Figure Skating Championships. A certified life/executive coach, Manley has become a leading advocate for mental health in Canada, channeling her own experiences with anxiety and depression.
Local chefs and farmers will be contributing to a gourmet roast beef dinner, with duchess potatoes, horseradish carrots, scalloped corn and Caesar salad. There will also be a veggie Alfredo pasta option and Sonja, the Cupcake Queen, will be providing dessert.
The McArthurs have a personal connection with country band that will be closing out the night. Rob Kirkham and Neon Rain played their wedding.
The group was nominated for recording of the year twice at the Hamilton Music Awards, and by the Country Music Association of Ontario, as well as receiving the Hamilton Community News Reader’s Choice Best Artist award. The high energy music on their self-titled debut and sophomore album Seven Year Itch spawned the “infectious” radio singles: Step 13, Kick Back and Love Goes Bang.
There will be a cash bar, a wine auction, live and silent auctions, including a staycation in Collingwood with a one-night stay at the new Dorchester Hotel and a gift card at a local restaurant.
The event takes place Saturday, Feb. 17, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at Station on the Green, 10 Caroline St. E., Creemore.
Find the We Dream Big event on Facebook, and purchase tickets online at www.eventbrite.com by searching We Dream Big for Clearview Stayner and St. Luke’s Community Food Banks.
Big names in entertainment play Wasaga Beach’s new arena
Elizabeth Manley is directing a Valentine’s Day themed show called Love is in the Air, starring Elvis Stojko.
The performance is part of Wasaga Beach’s 50th anniversary celebration and the grand opening of the town’s new twin-pad arena and library.
“The Town of Wasaga Beach is thrilled to have Canadian Olympic medalists Elizabeth Manley and two-time Olympic medalist Elvis Stojko perform at our Breaking the Ice Festival, as part of our Town’s 50th- anniversary celebrations,” said Mayor Brian Smith. “We’re also thrilled to have them showcase local talent while
we celebrate the grand opening of our town’s new NHL-size twin pad arena and library.”
The iconic figure skaters will take over one of the town’s new NHL-size ice pads for a performance presented in partnership with the Wasaga Beach Skating Club, as part of the town’s Breaking the Ice Festival: A Celebration of Legends, Icons and 50 Years of Sunshine. Admission costs $5.
The Breaking the Ice Festival takes place from Feb. 10-19 and also features performances by Blue Rodeo and Burton Cummings.
Tickets are on sale now at www.50YearsofSunshine.ca.