From Northumberland News
Vernonville couple enjoy fruits of their labour at folk festival
Volunteering is good for the soul
By Peg McCarthy
Sep 23, 2009 - 03:53 PM
GRAFTON -- Volunteering keeps you young.
That's the philosophy of Gord and Joan James, 76 and 71 respectively, and six-year veterans of the Shelter Valley Folk Festival, held Labour Day weekend, at the Vernonville Road farm of Tracy and Arnie Henkel.
On Sept. 4, the couple enjoyed the fruits of their labour, as their work as poster crew chiefs was complete, having coordinated the delivery of 2,000 posters advertising the festival across southern Ontario and postering buildings across Northumberland County. They relaxed and got ready to enjoy the music, the art, the harvest food, and the companionship of friends and family.
"The people here are really wonderful," said Ms. James. Originally, "we saw something in the paper (about volunteering for the festival) and we never left. Aengus (Finnan, founder and artistic director of the Festival) is such a gem - he makes you want to do things."
The first year the couple volunteered, they did everything from digging post holes, working in the King Street Cobourg office, cutting weeds, and painting signs, to helping build the stage and the fence. The first night of the first festival, and before there was additional lighting in the area, they sold tickets by flashlight.
Now they look around at the stage, the lighting, the fences, the rustic entrance details, the artists village and harvest food area, and can hardly imagine the former bare field.
GRAFTON -- Gord and Joan James have volunteered at the Shelter Valley Folk Festival since it started six years ago. Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2009
"And it's so clean," said Ms. James.
The almost 300 volunteers may work hard, but they're treated really well at the festival. A huge separate outdoor kitchen provides three squares a day of home-grown, homemade meals that are reminiscent of mom's food.
"The (kitchen people) work like Trojans," said Ms. James. "It's all very environmentally friendly."
Although the event is now even more organized, "It's still a big family. We haven't lost that. And the music isn't bad either," said Mr. James, who says they are longtime fans of Peter, Paul and Mary, and The Weavers.
"Actually, my favourite part is the music."
Mr. and Ms. James have lived along Turk Road for almost 20 years, emigrants from Scarborough city life where they didn't know their neighbours. When they found their current property and settled in rural Northumberland, they decided getting to know people would be a priority. They also deliver Meals on Wheels for Community Care and are members of Friends of the Valley.
Being part of the festival has more than met their desire for community connections.
"The sad part is Sunday, the part that isn't open to the public. Everyone is so emotional. They're tired and overwhelmed; there's been so much build-up - and it's over."
There's a big fire and barbecue for the volunteers.
"We've made so many friends - 'huggy' friends," said Ms. James. "Life has changed here."
