Behind the masks at the masquerade ball

Julie Druker | Oct 29, 2015

On October 24, staff at Community Living-North Frontenac (CL-NF), were joined by many of the individuals they support along with a lively group of supporters from the local community at large, who together enjoyed a very memorable evening at the hall of St. James Major Catholic Church in Sharbot Lake.

The event, which attracted close to 100 costumed revelers, was the organization’s first ever Halloween-themed Masquerade Ball fundraiser. Community Living-North Frontenac is dedicated to providing individuals with intellectual disabilities and their families with equal opportunities to achieve independence and social acceptance in their communities, and the Saturday evening ball showed that they are succeeding in doing just that.

Marcel Quenneville, manager of supports and services with CL-NF, thought up the idea for the fundraiser with the hopes of making a splash in the community. The event not only achieved that goal but was a fun and memorable way for staff, the individuals they support and the community at large to come together while raising funds for the organization.

Emcee Brian Robertson said that when he was approached to host the event, he suggested that one of his former students, Johnathon Wisteard, whom he taught for years at Land O'Lakes Public School and who is now a grade 12 student at Granite Ridge, be offered the role as co-host. Robertson felt that Wisteard, who is one the many individuals that CL-NF supports, would be a stellar co-host at the ball due his love and keen knack for performing. He said, “Johnathon is someone who really loves to perform. It seemed a perfect fit for this event and demonstrates how the organization is striving to put the individuals they support front and center in the community.”

Wisteard nailed his role as co-emcee and thanked CL-NF for the many memorable opportunities that have come his way. Those have included a trip to Ripley's Aquarium in Toronto and a visit to Eastern Cowboy Outfitters near Parham, among many others.

Guests enjoyed a fabulous assortment of hot and cold hors d'oeuvres and a midnight meal courtesy of Primitive Catering as well as live musical entertainment from the local flute trio Toute Ensemble, and the Alan and Brian Duo.

Later in the evening guests danced to the tunes of local DJ Dave Barr, and Town Crier Paddy O'Connor also made a speech.

Dean Walsh, executive director of CL-NF, was dressed to the nines and was challenged to a memorable Can-Can dance competition. Walsh said the event was more about celebrating than fundraising and he was pleased to see so many members of the community take part.

Over 80 gift items were donated from the local community and were up for grabs in a silent auction. They included original art works, numerous gift certificates and more.

Brian Robertson, under the hat of president of the North Frontenac Little Theatre, headed up the hall's complete and astounding transformation into a mysterious, dimly lit, elegantly decorated night time haunt where white and black theatre face cut outs hung from the ceiling and metres of gold fabric fanned out from the centre of the room.

Judging from the turn out and the celebratory feeling, staff at CL-NF definitely not only made a splash but have started a wave.