By: Chris Parker
The 98th Dunster Christmas Show was almost ‘the Christmas Show that never happened’ said Nancy Taylor. From challenges such as having snow/ice trouble, getting the transportation arrangements made, time and date issues, and performers getting sick up until the very last moment – no one was sure how it was going to turn out.
The Dunsterites put on a full lunch with soup sandwiches and dessert for their guests before the show. Pete Amyoony once again MC’d. From french horns, to toddlers, to pianists; performers on recorders, french horns and Alphorns- fiddle solos, to singing and even a ventriloquist – those in attendance got quite a show. Pete also announced that the debt on the school has now been reduced to slightly over $11,000 (The community bought the school building from the district for $43,700 four years ago).
“If this was the Christmas Show that almost never was, we should have one every year!” proclaimed several of those in attendance who thoroughly enjoyed the event. The Christmas show began after the local school opened in the fall of 1916.
With the talent of Pete Amyoony, Keith Berg, Jane Houlden, Nancy Taylor, The Dunster Children’s playschool, Elaine Robson, Kelli Parker, Eunice Wentz, Shara Gustafson, Cassidy Braun and Lelani Arris presenting many forms of music and comedy a full and entertaining concert lasting over an hour was performed for the crowd which came from Valemount, McBride, Dunster and surrounding areas.
A side highlight for this writer was taking the school bus (ahhhh memories)…with the members of the OAPO from McBride, some of whom thoroughly enjoyed the concept of ‘Road Trip, Road Trip.’
