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v. r) •' U THE CANADIAN STATESMAN ♦ NOVEMBER 30,2005 ♦ PAGE 7 idurtiamregion.com O'. â\. CLARINGTON COMMUNITY WELCOMES NEWCASTLE?' ■ A weekly in-depth look at the communities that shape Clarington Discovering the joys of dance Non-profit charitable organization helps children have fun BY JUUE CASHIN-OSTER Special to The Statesman NEWCASTLE - What little girl hasn't î dreamed of being a swan in Swan Lake - Vor child in the Nutcracker Suite? Perhaps ryou have a young protégé in the house who dreams of stardom dancing in a music video. Helping these future stars fulfill their dreams is the Newcastle Family Connection, Connection, a volunteer-run non-profit, charitable organization with an interest in helping children discover the joys of dance. "Twelve years ago the Newcastle Family Family Connection started a dance program for kids," said Dawn McArthur, president president of the Newcastle Family Connection board of directors. "There really was ,-very little for kids j in Newcastle --' we j reached out to the ! community and ^offered a program j that was fun and i recreational." F In 1991 the Newcastle Newcastle Family Connection, Connection, operating • out of the Newcastle Newcastle Town Hall, was originally a drop-in playgroup that was started by a mom who saw a need in Newcastle. Within two '■years it evolved into a formal mommy ?group. V . Now in operation for over 12 years, about paying for pictures or costumes it s all included in the price of $210. Discounts Discounts are offered for multi-classes and multi-family members. Special circumstances circumstances are also taken into consideration, "no child is refused", she said. "Wç do some fundraising - sell flower bulbs in the spring and summer. We do . receive a grant from the Municipality of Clarington and a grant from .the Rotary Club. We are very grateful for the grants as they help to buy equipment and build our costume inventory. Last year the Rotary Club helped us to purchase stretch bars for the ballet classes - we were previously previously using chairs." Volunteers are an essential part of the organization. Newcastle Family Connection Connection has many jobs requiring very little preparation, no experience - just your time, maybe one or two hours a month. The executive is a team of hard working, working, dedicated parents who are donating their time; effort and experience to ensure the needs of our members are met. Each executive member makes a commitment commitment for a minimum of one year. "We need a lot of help at recital time. Volunteers help during the night of the event - with ' costume changes, backstage help, ■ washroom breaks, and ticket takers," she said. . \ '"Volunteers ' also help, before the event arranging flowers and various telephone duties." If you are interested in finding out more about the Newcastle Family Connection you can visit their-Web site at www. "We need a lot of help at recital time. Volunteers help during thé night of the event - with costume changes, backstage help, washroom breaks, and ticket takers. - Dawn McArthur % Now in operation ior over iz yc<us, . 11n On additionto the dance classes, Newcastle Family Connection also offers ' " leave' a message' at 905-987-7767 Vol mome Alone J St. John's Ambulance -- -- " and Wl11 direCt ^courses for the families of Clarington. "We offer a variety of classes for kids &-1/2 to 12-years-old," said Mrs. McArthur, McArthur, "We run 16 classes, 8-10 students per class. This year we have over 100 students."1 students." 1 •' For the youngest a prelude to ballet is roffered with Pre-School Dance and Creative Creative Dance 1. | Also offered are Junior and Senior pallet, three levels of Creative Dance, pTap/Jazz Combo, three levels of Hip Hop, Cabaret and Musical Theatre. Classes run from September until die fend of April. There are no classes during Ithe March-break or summer months. "We hold a dance recital the first week of May. Last year we moved it to Bow- manville High School from Newcastle Public School. We needed a bigger venue .because it is always sold out," she said, During the recital the preschoolers peri-form peri-form two songs back to back. The other ! classes also have two numbers but with 'costume changes. It provides an opportunity opportunity for evéry dancer to participate in an Entertaining production. F Cost for classes is very reasonable End reflects the hard work the board of "directors and volunteers put in to keep them reasonable. You don't have to worry unteers retrieve messages and will direct them accordingly. If families are interested in seeing the classes you can call and arrange a time or visit their Open House held during the last week of class before Christmas Break - December 13,14,17 and 19. Check the. Web site for dance schedules. Classes are held in the Newcastle Town Hall downstairs downstairs in the Centennial Room next to the Bowling Alley. SB? avvt. Each week The Bowmamlle Canadian Statesman features a different story on the people and places that make Clarington the great place it is to live, work and iy. If you have a alary Idea you would like Jason Liebregts/Metroland Durham Region Media Group • i)||5-57 l )-44llll • sion was at Newcastle Town Hall. tâMwÊmMSï' i aSBESSBik Wte 1 "' ÏStetnKxljL I Give tha Git of I Gum tNo hoMoy T T T -f ' ' T TTTTTTTT r T r r PROFESSIONALS i M i i M 1 To Advertise in the Clarington's Best Professionals Call 905-579-4400 and ask for inside sales. i ,njM'illnx .it '><i |-M'< I'S 1)1 E, 11111 ls unl y ; ^ /,,) Sin,ill Box .il D im-< ol >;um is ""ly ^ Reaching Your Goals Freedom 55 Takes Careful Planning Financial That's Why We're Here to Help. • Individual life Insurance • QICa 4 mutual funds •Disability Insurant! «Group Insurance •Business I •Travel Insvrams f R'l | (|('|iviMy'nl z > l>()xrs ot 11 In m.ilei ( Klin ll * ()t) | /^ oi send .111 iMU'i'Uii ) mikviurtdi.imi' ■ symiWTuo.CciJjjji «Mortgages RRIFs, UFs 4 Annuities «RRSPs ' •Group retirement plans got 4 RESPs Ü ■ I Palm, Tarot at W- um r* i t l ÎUADRUS, Dwight and Deria Hickson FlnincUl Suturity ind lnveutm.nl Repitsenlullvef 5 King Avé., Newcastle (905)987-5372 I AVAILABLE FOR HOUSE PARTIESj^^^l Il00% SATISFACTION GUARANTEEI^^^B 905-668-S^ro 99% ACCURACY^^