The Pender Harbour Music Society and the Area A Society for Seniors Housing are joining forces to put on a dinner/dance and silent auction on July 16 at the Pender Harbour Community Hall.
All proceeds will go to the Seniors Housing Society's Abbeyfield House project.
The Abbeyfield model originated more than 40 years ago in the United Kingdom. At present, there are 21 operating houses in western Canada and four under construction. The Pender Harbour Abbeyfield House will provide rental accommodations (bed-sitting room with attached bathroom) for 10 elderly seniors who are not in need of full-time nursing care in a homey, non-institutionalized atmosphere. There will be common areas, including lounges, dining room, kitchen and laundry room. A live-in house coordinator will be responsible for providing home-cooked meals and looking after everyday needs. The non-profit society will oversee the running of the house. Local developer Ryan Campbell of Lily Lake Homes has donated the land on which the Abbeyfield House will be built.
It's early yet, but planning for the July fundraiser is proceeding. Sue Rayment and Friends will provide the music. Rayment promises "a night of great dance music, all the way from swingy standards to rockin' blues, from slinky soul to classic rock and roll."
Joining Rayment on vocals will be Luci Herder on keyboards/vocals, Gaetan Bergevin on guitar/vocals, Boyd Norman on bass and Ken Bradley on drums. Other local musicians might also pop by.
Local celebrity chefs Chrys Sample and Darcy Perry are creating an exciting menu, and local businesses and groups are donating most of the food. Donations for the silent auction are coming in already. The plan is to save a few of the items for a live auction to take place at the intermission during the dance, featuring auctioneer John Duggan. The silent auction will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the community hall. Winning bidders will be able to pay for and collect their chosen items during this time. Then the hall will close and be transformed for the evening events, which will start with Happy Hour at 6:30 and dinner at 7 p.m.
Tickets ($25) for the dinner/dance are on sale at Harbour Insurance, Prudential Sussex Realty and John Henry's Marina. For more information, call Paul Cuppen at 604-883-9883 or Marg Penney at 604-883-0237.
