Some will remember the children’s stories written by Thornton W. Burgess, many of which were published in several newspapers as serials. Burgess (1874 – 1965), a conservationist and author, loved the beauty of nature and his observations about wildlife inspired his writings. Over a span of 50 years, from 1912 to 1960, he wrote over 170 books and contributed 15,000 stories for radio and newspaper columns.
Working together with Burgess was his friend and illustrator Harrison Cady, whose pictures of characters like Peter Rabbit, Jimmy Skunk, Sammy Jay, Bobby Raccoon, Little Joe Otter, Grandfather Frog, Hooty the Owl, and many others delighted the imagination of the young readers.
Burgess’ characters will come to life again during the upcoming Sorensen Family Christmas Concert as special guest Allen Stoolmiller reads a story from one of Burgess’ books. Also included in the program will be stories of the season selected from authors like Hans Christian Anderson, and personal reflections from Sorensen family members. There will even be a whimsical little story involving church mice which will be told for the first time, and Betty Howatt will re-create a story like she would have told on “Sleepy Town Express”, a radio program aired on CFCY in the 1950s. Guests will even hear the original train whistle.
The program is intended to be family oriented as young and old come together to share an entertaining and inspirational time together. As usual, musical selections of various genres will be performed reflecting on the different aspects of the Christmas season.
The concert will take place at the South Shore United Church, #85 Route 10, at 7:30 p.m. Lunch and a time for Christmas socializing will take place afterwards in the Howatt Memorial Centre.
Admission is a freewill offering in support of the Church Sanctuary Renewal Fund. For more information call Jack Sorensen at 658-2009.
