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Cast of this year's show

Rehearsal Pictures 

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2009 Sponsors

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First I'd like to give a big thanks to everyone who supported our Classic Country Cookbook sales....  We've sold out.... If anyone still wants cookbooks, please contact Margit at margitwagner@telus.net and we'll add your name to the "wait-list" for the next printing - hopefully sometime this summer!!

Mike Puhallo

Congratulations to Mike he's the recipient of the Will Roger's Award for Cowboy Poet of the Year for 2009 - what an honor.....  To find out more about the Academy of Western Artists and the Will Roger's Awards check out their website:  www.AWA.org.   

Mike is the only cowboy poet to have his work read into the official record at a NASA launch and in the Canadian House of Commons.  He not only performers at cowboy gatherings and festivals, but is now taking his poetry into schools, libraries and community halls throughout the West.  His poetry appeals to a broad audience, not just ranchers and working cowboys.

Mike was instrumental in establishing the BC Cowboy Hall of Fame and has served many years as President of the BC Cowboy Heritage Society.  Please check out the BC Cowboy Heritage Society at www.bcchs.com for information about their 2010 event in Kamloops - lots of great entertainers!!

Check out Mike's website - www.mikepuhallo.com for his weekly "Meadow Muffins" poems - they're great.  You'll also find information about his great skills as a public speaker; if you're looking for a speaker for an event  you'll also find his contact information listed as well as his many upcoming events (including our own Ridge Meadows Opry on October 24, 2009.

A red
crayon
colored Santa,
and a
rumpled paper Dove,
memories of Christmas past,
made with paper, paste, and love.
Amid
the lights and tinsel,
that adorn our Christmas tree,
it's these precious family treasures,
that mean the most to me.
Some times..
among the clutter we fail to see the gift of love.
A red crayon colored Santa, and a rumpled paper dove.

Merry Christmas
from Mike & Linda, Puhallo

Rockin' Rick Moyer

Rockin' Rick Moyer - Rick dj's at the leisure centre in Maple Ridge for the kids dance (by the pool) every third Friday night.  Check with the Leisure Centre re: dates/times at  604-467-7322 or send Rick an email at: rockinrick@shaw.ca 

Alouette River Band

Dr. & Mrs. Len & Sharon Hatlelid; Dr. Randy Moore; Denis Leclerc and Larry Conners - Over a decade ago, a group of local musicians gathered weekly in a little farmhouse on the bank of the north Alouette River in Maple Ridge to share an evening of bluegrass music, fun, and Sharon’s desserts. Over time, the group became known as the Alouette River Band and grew in skill and popularity as one of the most sought-after acoustical music groups in the Fraser Valley.  At present they are working on their second CD.

The Alouette River band performs a variety of traditional and contemporary bluegrass, gospel, swing, Celtic and original music as well. Instruments include guitar, stand-up bass, five-string banjo, mandolin, fiddle, flute and features very accomplished vocal harmonies.  The group takes it's music seriously, but never at the expense of occasional departures into silliness and humour.

Len Hatelid -  Len comes from many musical influences and is a very studious player. He is regarded as one of the hottest flat top guitarists in the area. He also sings lead and high harmonies in the band and is a songwriter. He is depended upon as the group’s “quality control man”, making sure everything about the music and its parts are consistent. Len grew up in Edmonton, Alberta. Sharon Hatelid - Sharon is from a musical family in southern Alberta and, as well as being an accomplished musician, she also has a strong choral and ensemble history. She sings all of the lead female vocals in the band (which is very handy as the only female member) and powerful harmonies. She plays the stand-up bass, the flute and supervises the band’s vocal arrangements.  Randy Moore - Randy was born and raised in California but came north to live and operate a farm in the Canadian prairies. He honed his musical skill with the Regina Folk Guild and toured with “The New Homesteaders” throughout southern Manitoba. He is Alouette River’s male lead vocalist, plays the mandolin, guitar and bass, and the band’s bluegrass historian and “elder statesman”.  Denis Leclerc - Denis grew up locally playing fiddle and banjo for the Arbuckle Barley Bluegrass band. Later, he co-founded Thunder Creek (nominated "Bluegrass Band of the Year” from 1982 to 1986 by the BCCMA). In 1996, he was invited to join Alouette River as fiddler, lead and back-up vocalist, songwriter, poet and general keeper of things from getting too serious on or off stage.  Larry Conners - Larry is originally from Bowmanville, Ontario, he has performed for over 30 years as a lead guitarist and vocalist with many well-known BC bands including "Duster" and "Cement City Cowboys". In the 80’s, the BCCMA nominated his combo "Country Duo of the Year”. Formerly of "Fiddler’s Kitchen", his hard-driving approach to the five-string is a welcome asset to the ARB and to the Ridge Meadows Opry.

Natasha Zimbaro

Natasha is 16 years old and attends M.R.S.S., where she performs in two extra curricular school choirs. She loves many aspects of the arts. Along with an exciting and busy performing schedule, Natasha continues to study the dance disciplines of ballet ( Cecchetti grade 6) and tap (gold and intermediate), as well as starting her 3^rd year as an assistant tap dance teacher. Natasha has also been involved in numerous theatre productions around the lower mainland, and some of her credits include, the flying role of Jane in Peter Pan with R.C.M.T., Princess Sushi in Aladdin with Millennium Players and the role of Jellylorum in CATS with Theatrix (2006 and 2007 lower mainland tour).     

 Some vocal highlights of 2007/2008 are: Cameo Starquest (Winner), For The Luv of It youth and pro, The Beat 94.5 Music Awards (Top 10 2007 & 2008), the ACT’s 5^th birthday celebration gala (hosted by Brent Butt from Corner Gas), the B.C 150^th Celebration, along with many others. Natasha was also the Resident Anthem singer for the Ridge Meadows Flames, last season and is their current “anthem girl” for the 08/09 season. She also sang numerous times for the Vancouver Giants and Chilliwack Bruins!

Natasha has had an extremely exciting and busy summer, some highlights include, performing at the Merritt Mountain Music Festival for the second year, BVJ in Alberta, Maple Ridge Country Fest, Maple Ridge Chamber Fest (opening for CHILLIWACK and The Headpins) and a finalist in The Red Robinson Talent Showdown 2008!

Also this summer, Natasha had the honour of opening the Vancouver Canadians baseball season as well as singing numerous times for them over the summer.  She also sang numerous times for the Vancouver Whitecaps men’s and women’s soccer teams, and also the B.C Lions! Natasha was honoured and excited to be invited to sing at this years Ridge Meadows Opry!!!!!