Called the "Little Lake Crew," a group of local musicians were recently honoured with an appreciation day for the simple joy they bring others with their playing.
"This dedicated group of musicians perform every Wednesday afternoon from 1 to 3:30 p.m. at the Victoria Harbour Legion," event coordinator Doreen Gunson explains. "Everyone is welcome."
And one can't complain about the cost to attend with a dollar drop-in fee and a one dollar each for coffee/tea and snacks, it's a great entertainment value.
"We also have a donation draw," Gunson says, noting proceeds after expenses are donated to the Legion branch. Last year, proceeds from the weekly sessions led to a $7,000 donation to the Legion.
The band, which can sometimes have up to 13 musicians, according to Gunson, originally featured a group of musicians who played together at Askennonia Senior Centre in Midland.
But when COVID-19 hit and virtually everything closed down, including Askennonia, the musicians needed to eventually find a new way to get together with Little Lake Park proving to be a great option.
But while the summer is a great time to jam together outdoors, once the temperature drops, it's a little more uncomfortable to be running your fingers across a chilly fretboard.
So with Askennonia not yet ready to welcome them back, Gunson was asked whether they could play at the Legion where she was involved.
"That was two years ago this coming October," Gunson says, noting the branch considers it a community service to welcome the musicians and the dozens of other local residents who drop by every Wednesday afternoon.
They're already planning something special to commemorate the two-year anniversary of playing at the Legion on October 9th.
"We average about 40 people, we've had as high as 57," Gunson says. "We have our regular dancers. The band play old country, rock n' roll. It used to be a jam session, but now it's the same musicians every week."
