1962 Co-op Country Concert

Photo credit of CKX studio on Victoria Ave in Brandon  - Eric Wolliscroft from Facebook

Many enjoyed hearing about Reston and area’s musical past from the earlier post about the Don Messer show here.  Today's post is direct from the pages of the Reston Recorder from  March 29, 1962 describing the evening of live entertainment broadcast from CKX Television in Brandon that featured local performers.  Although it doesn’t say, I suspect the author of the article is Helen Ready, sister to Russell Manning who wrote with fantastic description (along with plenty of clauses and commas) for the newspaper.  

Thanks to a Hillman Web website by Bill Hellman here, I learned that each Brandon area community with a Co-op was able to be featured on CKX in the early 1960's which was broadcast on Channel 5.  In some cases these were winners from a local talent contest but I haven't seen anything about that in the Recorder archives.   CKX started television broadcasts in 1955 and their last one was 2009. It was a real community builder and many still comment how the local news, weather and sports is sorely missed.  Step back with me now to the past- a March night in 1962. 

Many From Town and District Take Part in Co-op Country Concert

RESTON -  Shortly after midnight last Wednesday night, voices could be heard coming from all parts of town, and in case you were wondering what was going on, the bus just pulled into town and the occupants were going to their homes after attending Reston Night at the Co-op Country Concert at the CKX Television Station in Brandon. Fred Paul, manager of the local Square Deal Co-op was in charge of arrangements.

The bus arrived at 5:30, loaded and took off at 6:00 and deposited its passengers at the TV station a few minutes after 7:30 PM. When everyone was inside and settled, a rehearsal under the leadership of Chris Thor, Public Relations man for the District 3 Co-op and Harold Roberts, station announcer, was staged so the program could go off without a hitch.

Following the program, all those taking part were taken to the Agricultural School for coffee and doughnuts, then back in the bus and home again, after a very exciting, informative and interesting evening, especially for the younger participants.

Those taking part in the program were: Reston Junior band, resplendent in their full dress uniforms of blue and gold, playing “Honour Band” consisting of Brian and Gerry Winch, Blair, Margaret Ann and Patsy Kay Bulloch,  Brian Donald, Glenn and Barry Caldwell, Frank, Murray and Ross Manning, Terry Patmore, Glennis Foote, Grant Fotheringham, Susan and Sandy White, Kay Guthrie, Keith Lazenby, John Campbell, Jim Berry, Garth Pierce, Gregg Campbell, Cindy and Jim Duncan, Jim Forsyth, Corrine Lockhart, Clare McMorran, Terry Howard, Vernon Cook and Alan Bulloch.

The next presentation was by “The Teardrops”  from Sinclair, lovely in their spring outfits of wild rose jackets and white pleated skirts, doing a vocal arrangement of  “Norman”.  Margaret Irwin, Eileen Bright, Phyllis and Lenora Stanley accompanied by Mrs. Laurel Shewchuk. They were followed by Mr. Wm McCune of Sinclair played a very enjoyable melody of old time tunes on his violin, accompanied by Mrs. Shewchuk.

The last number was very ably performed by Sharon Sturby of Ewart where she played “La Poloma” on her accordion. Talent from Broomhill was also featured when Ben Grierson accompanied himself with his guitar and sang “I’ll Hold You in My Heart”.

Wearing their choir robes, the Senior Choir of Reston United Church gave a very beautiful rendition of “Open the Gates of the Temple”. Mrs. Les Dempsey was conductress and Mrs. Bea Donald organist. Others taking part where Mesdames Abbey, Howard, McMorran, Pierce, Nolan, McIntosh, Harrison, Pettypiece, J. Cuthill, W. Campbell, F. Stonehouse Jr and Mssrs Walter Brown, L.  Ludlum, J. Forsyth, Wm McLean, F. Basiuk, and L. Newranski and Fred Stonehouse Jr.

The last number on the program was a set from the Reston Square Dance Club. This number was called by Bill Hooper, Virden and the dancers wearing black quilted skirts and white blouses were: Mona Wills, Antler and Ronnie Zarn, Ewart; Janice Gilchrist, Crescent and Bob Zarn, Ewart; Carol Busby, Kinloss and Jim Zelmer, Antler; Olga Zarn, Reston and George Andrews, Stonehill.

Chris Thor made the comment it was one of the most balanced and most colourful programs Co-op Country Concert had had all winter and it was too bad Brandon didn’t have coloured television.  

Picture from https://logos.fandom.com/wiki/CKX-TV