The following was submitted by Eagle River’s Connie Calvert……
On Friday, September 18, the Recreation Hall in Eagle River was filled with action. The Health and Wellness Committee presented a community dance, our first official event. We are a subsidiary of WeREager, and our goal is to promote mental and physical health through activities and events.
The crowd enjoyed hot dogs, smokies, pop, chips and chose a place to sit to listen to the music.
PARTIAL RECALL did not disappoint. We discovered them at the Dryden Go-Getter’s and were impressed with their music which lead to this event. Wanda Taylor lead guitar, Andy Taylor bass and Humberto Pacheco on drums. Their music filled the hall, and everyone either performed the ‘chair dance’ or danced and showcased their moves.
We needed a fun event after losing two valued community members in close proximity. Carol Kondra passed away on April 11 and Bill Hampe on July 9 of this year. Our small community was deeply saddened and humbled. They both held prestigious positions in the community.
Carol was very involved with her family, running Senior Events and keeping our hall clean and well-maintained. She was very independent and self-sufficient. Her absence has left a significant void in our hearts.
Bill was a much-loved teacher at Eagle River School. He was extremely intelligent and kind, qualities reflected in his students. He had a passion for music and loved live music. We are still processing the loss of Bill.
The objective of the dance was to bring positivity back; happy smiles, dancing and foot tapping at the hall rather than sadness and loss.
This nostalgic evening was a celebration for those of us who attended socials at community halls in the past. The C.O.F. Hall, Moose Hall, Legion, Oxdrift Hall, Vermilion Bay Curling Rink and Eagle River Hall were always bustling with activity. There was never a lack of entertainment on weekends. The Legion is the only building still standing, a testament to its enduring legacy.
We work collaboratively as a community, supported by strong and reliable committee members. We express our sincere gratitude to everyone who contributed to the success of this event.
Wabigoon Lake First Nation, Co-op and Safeway generously sponsored the event, enabling us to achieve our purpose of promoting mental health and wellness.
PARTIAL RECALL has a unique story.
They began their journey from Hamilton Ontario where we met in college. They travelled the country, fell in love with Minaki and moved there for 3 years. They began touring in 1987 after getting married and toured full time for approximately 10 years.
When they were living in Minaki, Wanda fell ill so they moved back to Southern Ontario. This was not a setback, just another chapter in their lives where they raised four wonderful children. Thirty years later, they finally made it back to where their hearts belong!
Wanda shared this heartfelt story:
Thanks to the support and encouragement of the Dryden Go-Getters, we were able to light our musical passion again. We reconnected with Karen Leutschaft and Rob Franklin and through music, we are all healing.
I had not been able to sing since my dad passed in 2019. Karen Leutschaft had not been singing since her husband passed. We kept in touch but both had lost our mojo! We held hands and dared each other to get back on stage full of nerves, but we did it. I could clearly hear my dad’s voice in my head saying it’s about bloody time!!! And we both felt that we were home again on stage!
We had a family band. I was lead guitar, Dad on bass and my sister on drums. We were playing professionally when I was 12 and Michelle was 8. Music was a huge part of our lives.
Andy played with bands in high school and as a trained jazz musician. He started playing country during college traveling with a road band in the summer and weekends in Hamilton bars! I was just a groupie who followed him everywhere!
If you are seeking something special, Andy and I are always willing to go above and beyond to create an unforgettable performance. We simply want to have fun again!
You can contact them at:
519-636-4238
We thoroughly enjoyed their performance, which was a visual and auditory delight.
Embracing possibilities enriches our lives and fosters a more fulfilling world.
