Photo: Double Shutter Images.
By Eric Andersen
Published: May 17, 2014
As many as 150 people assembled Saturday April 19th at the Squamish Valley Golf & Country Club for a “DOREEN RAMUS ROAST” – an evening of tributes to and memories recounted of the life and times of a Squamish original.
The event was also a fundraiser for the “Howe Sound Drama Club History Project” – an effort to document and present the history of the Drama Club (aka Howe Sound Players).
Doreen Ramus was a co-founder of the club in 1965. Its first production was “Aladdin” in 1966; and the last was the musical “Camelot” in 2000. During those 35 years the Drama Club presented approximately 90 plays and musical theatre events.
These productions are estimated to have involved approximately 2,500 to 3,000 individuals as performing cast members and in behind-the-scenes supporting roles. Audiences over the years would tally up to several thousands.
The Howe Sound Drama Club activities touched many people over three and a half decades. Through the support of the Squamish Arts Council, Doreen and a committee of volunteers (Louisa Jardine-Ourom, Tony Biggin-Pound, Eric Andersen) have made a start on documenting and exhibiting memorabilia from the history of the Drama Club.
Doreen Ramus has also touched many people over the years – as performing actress, in her nursing career, and as friend and neighbour. This was certainly clear from the testimonials and ‘roasting’ at the April 19 event.
Master of ceremonies, home grown musical entertainer and family friend Norm Foote provided songs and wit through the evening. Past Drama Club colleagues Rick Price, Alma Lewis and Skai Stevenson, and past hospital and medical clinic colleagues Karen Smith and Richard Cudmore each delivered stories as well as performances together with Doreen, who was seated upon a special stage.
Laughter filled the room as people and occasions were remembered – with Doreen also having her say now and then through the evening
Doreen’s family were in attendance, with daughter Helen and family coming from Kelowna, son Bruce from Australia and daughter Sarah and family from Squamish. A number of other quests travelled from the lower mainland and Vancouver Island.
Thanks to all the volunteer organizers for a rich evening with fine stories and much laughter, honouring a great lady and supporting a very worthwhile community theatre heritage project for Squamish!
