Thursday, May 18, 2006

The Artistic Sphere Group's Fashion Show










Written By: Sharon A. Layton-Pollock

Members of The Artistic Sphere Group laid down their brushes and turned models for a evening. On May 6th., 2006 The Artistic Sphere Group put on a fundraiser in the form of a fashion show. They called their show, "Discover Joy." It was held in the Salisbury Royal Canadian Legion.

This fundraiser was put on to raise money for the portion needed by The Artistic Sphere Group to help bring to fruition The Petitcodiac Regional Interpretation and Cultural Centre, soon to be built in Petitcodiac, N.B. Canada. This Centre will be the pride of our area. It will bring to the forefront our rich culture and heritage. It will be a place for all to enjoy and learn more about Salisbury, Petitcodiac, Havelock, Elgin, River Glade and elsewere. This building will have an art gallery for The Artistic Sphere Group, as well as being the home for The Maritime Motorsports Hall of Fame Inc. Also, there will be a Visitor Information Centre, a museum for the area, conference room with a serving kitchen, and a theatre.

The ladies who attended the fashion show were not only treated to the new line of clothing from Weekender, but to the songs and music by Susan Layton. There were many prizes to give out, as well as a gift bag for each lady who attended. These all were made possible due to the great support of the local businesses in both Salisbury, Petitcodiac area, and from members of The Artistic Sphere Group.

A lucky lady from each table was able to take home the floral arrangements that were so generously donated by Vicky Steeves of The Lady Slipper Flower Shop in Petitcodiac. Many items for the silent auction were donated by Paul Lavoie, manager of the Irving Big Stop.

Before the fashion show began all were invited to partake of the dessert buffet, organized by Winona McLean, and compliments of all the members of The Artistic Sphere Group.

Ruth Esterbrooks, Weekender Representative from Moncton, introduced the lovely models as they modeled the Weekender fashions. The models for the evening were member Myrna Seely who helped organize the show, her daughter Vonda Kersting, Lois McFarlane, my daughter, Linda Gillcash, a professional model and my sister, Becky McCabe, Patty Goudreau, and member Debbie Williamson.

The Artistic Sphere Group were thrilled with the generosity of Debbie Carroll and her business, Forever Healthy in Riverview. She felt very strongly about the positive effects of our project on the area, and donated $1,000.00 toward it. She received a resounding round of applause from everyone.

I feel it would be amiss to not list the other businesses who donated to this evening, and made it a great success.

Elgin Country Market
Lois' Greenhouse
miracle Cuts
Petitcodiac Pharmacy
Salisbury Pharmacy
Stedmas V&S Store
Village of Petitcodiac
village of Salisbury
Hopewell Rocks Motel and Country Inn
Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park
Westmorland-Albert Solid Waste

So, in closing, I would like to invite anyone from our area who is interested in joining The Artistic Sphere Group to e-mail me at salayton@rogers.com We meet once a month, at The Irving Big Stop as well as having some of our artwork displayed there. We also send out newsletters, have workshops, outings and just plain have fun.

Our motto is: "Artists within our communities working together to encourage and promote each others artistic talents and endeavors."

Monday, May 15, 2006

First Major Fundraiser...Big Success



Written By: Sharon A. Layton-Pollock

On Friday, April 28th of this year the Maritime Motorsports Hall of Fame Inc. put on their first major fundraiser. It was held in the Moncton, Mark Ave. Lions Club. There was a meet and greet reception from 6:00p.m. to 7:00p.m. followed by a delicious roast beef supper. Tickets were $100.00 per person.

There were approximately 112 prize draws with the top prize being a Honda ATV supplied by Toys For Big Boys. The second top prize was a beautiful solitaire marquee cut diamond ring donated by Kevin Steeves of The Gold Outlet in Riverview. Third top prize was a trip, lodging and a ticket to the race in Loudon, New Hampshire, donated by Aaron Cole of Can Fan Race Tours. Fourth top prize was an all inclusive escape weekend for two to the Hopewell Rocks Motel and Country Inn donated by Brian and Brenda Pollock.

The Maritime Motorsports Hall of Fame Inc.is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting all types of motorsports in the Maritime Provinces of Canada. Founded in 2005 by Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame member and former River Glade Speedway owner Ernie McLean and his wife Winona. The Maritime Motorsports Hall of Fame will eventually find it's permanent home in The Petitcodiac Regional Interpretation and Cultural Centre to be build in Petitcodiac, N.B. Canada. Until the building is completed temporary facilities will house the collection in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia and Moncton, New Brunswick.

For more information on The Maritime Motorsports Hall of Fame, visit their web site at: www.maritimemotorsporthalloffame.com or call 1-866-355-8206

Saturday, May 13, 2006

Maritime Motorsports Hall of Fame On The Move


Written By: Sharon A. Layton-Pollock

Pictured here is (L)Sharon A. Layton-Pollock and (R) Winona McLean as they show off the $5,000.00 cheque given by the Regional Development Corporation. The cheque is to pay for a consultant to prepare start-up documents for the Petitcodiac Regional Interpretation and Cultural Centre.

Winona and Sharon have been working for two years preparing necessary documents to present to ACOA for consideration on a 1.2M project to be built in Petitcodiac. The building that will be built will house, in the lower level, the Maritime Motorsport Hall of Fame. In the upper level there will be an art gallery, local museum, a visitor information centre, conference room with a serving kitchen, a small theatre, and office spaces.

Phase one of the project has been completed, now a full financial and business plan is being worked on for phase two of the project

President of the Maritime Motorsport Hall of Fame, Ernie McLean said,
" This cheque not only comes at the perfect time, but is also greatly appreciated. This will allow us to get the right person to get the paperwork done that we need to move forward."

The Maritime Motor Sport Hall of Fame and The Artistic Sphere Group are busy planning and organizing fundraisers to raise their portion of the funding of The Petiticodiac Regional Interpretation and Cultural Centre.