That small group of volunteers who managed a few years ago to pull together the money for the conceptual plan for a proposed new hospital in Canora and is behind gathering more money for the new clinic, is now putting its energy into raising money for an improved nursing station for the Canora Hospital.
And to do that they’re all humming hit songs of the 1960s.
The Canora and District Healthcare Foundation is presenting “a 1960s walk down memory lane” where the hit tunes of Brenda Lee, Lesley Gore, Connie Francis, Petula Clark, Dusty Springfield, Loretta Lynn and Patsy Cline will be heard.
Brenda Lee Cottrell of Melville, who performs “the memorable music of the 1960s’ legendary ladies” will be in concert at Canora Rainbow Hall on March 16.
Lori Wasyliw, the chair of the Foundation, and Val Morozoff, its treasurer, recently talked about their work.
“We’re a small group,” Wasyliw said, explaining that working with them are Andrea Barteski, the secretary, and Donna McCormack, an executive member, plus several other volunteers.
“We formed in 2011 and raised the $100,000 for the conceptual plan over three years by organizing a Streetheart concert, holding barbecues, selling lottery tickets, holding harvest cabarets and arranging for the Field of Health fundraiser in which local farmers grows crops and the money from those crops is donated,” Morozoff said.
“Our motto is ‘Ensuring Your Continued Care’ Wasyliw said, adding that the group has also held an eight-week run/walk clinic that ended with a charity fun run, served three steak and shrimp suppers and conducted a penny barrel fundraiser a couple years ago when the Canadian one-cent coin was being discontinued.”
“The goals of the conceptual plan and Canora Health and Wellness Centre were reached by these fundraisers and monetary donations from local businesses, individuals, organizations surrounding RMs and the Town of Canora,” Morozoff said. “So you can see that this was a community effort.
The women explained that they are working on raising funds for a new nursing station at the Canora hospital because the current one is outdated and lacking the appropriate area for doctors, nurses and other health care providers to work from.
In addition to the nursing station upgrade, the committee is using some of the money it is raising to purchase equipment, including Broda chairs, for the Canora Gateway Lodge.
“We are a small group of volunteers and we could use help,” Wasyliw said.
“We’re working at these projects because we want our hospital and doctors to remain here,” Morozoff added. “We need that in Canora. We don’t want to see a time that we have to go to Yorkton for every little thing.”
Brenda Lee Cottrell began entertaining at the age of six, with stage experiences including both vocal and keyboard performances, says her biography. Growing up in a musical family and grounded by strong spiritual roots, she was encouraged to hone her musical skills, and served as a pipe organist and soloist in her hometown of Melville for over 25 years.
Word Music from Nashville was interested in vocal renditions that were submitted in 1998, and requested any original music for consideration, which planted the creative seeds, it said. “A collection of Brenda's eclectic original music is now set to be released this year.”
While studying voice at the University of Regina, Cottrell expanded her rich contralto voice to include a mezzo soprano range as well. Singing in languages became a passion and she later won the Mae Riome Scholarship competing in English, German, Italian and French.
The years of 2001 to 2012 proved to be the starting point of her musical journey as a tribute artist, as she teamed up with her television-producer husband Brian Cottrell to manage the main stage for the Canadian Cancer Society fundraiser: Regina's Relay for Life. It was an excellent opportunity to begin theatrically entertaining audiences with the music of several iconic singers such as Patsy Cline and Brenda Lee.
Collaborating, she and her husband gradually introduced 11 more “legendary ladies,” and began producing their own tribute show which is being brought to Canora and will include: early pop of Brenda Lee, Connie Francis and Lesley Gore; folk music by Mary Travers of Peter, Paul and Mary fame; contemporary memories by Karen Carpenter; soul selections from Marilyn McCoo; British invasion hits as done by Petula Clark, LuLu and Cilla Black; Vegas performances by Dusty Springfield, and classic country from the reigning queen Loretta Lynn, and the unforgettable Patsy Cline.
Today, performing as a solo artist, or together with her band which includes fellow veteran Regina musicians Don Young, Ron Pettigrew, Brian Davis, Otis Young and her husband as the technical producer, Cottrell“takes every audience for a ‘walk down memory Lane’ bringing to life the nuances of each performer, recapturing the magical times of this timeless, classic, emotional, and unforgettable music.
“And with that, she leaves her heart on the stage in every performance,” the biography says.
The concert in Canora on March 16 will include two 45-minute sets by Brenda Lee Cottrell and lunch for admission of $25. The evening will include the sale of 50/50 lottery tickets and door prizes.
“We’re limited to 200 people in Rainbow Hall, so we’re advising people to get their tickets early to avoid disappointment,” Morozoff said.
