Leaders Joan and Mark Huggins retire in their 18th season
By Susan Sweet & John Green

Photo by John Green Joan and Mark Huggins with Councillor Annette Groves following the presentation at the recent Caledon Community Singers concert.

The Caledon Community Singers, a group of people who enjoy singing together, are in their 18th year. They have consistently brought two concerts a year to the community and have also sung at both the King Nursing Home and the Davis Centre on numerous occasions.

Under the musical direction of Joan Huggins, the group has raised more than $18,000 for local charities such as the Caledon Community Services Santa Fund, and Friendly Visiting Program, the benevolent fund of Caledon Meals on Wheels, Hospice Caledon and Rick Hansen Wheels in Motion, Caledon.

The spring concert We'll Meet Again was held May 18th at Caven Presbyterian Church in Bolton. At that time Joan, along with her husband Mark Huggins, who has been one of the group's accompanists for the entire 18-year period, retired from their respective positions with the choir. Many will remember the joy which Joan brought to the children in the audience who were encouraged to come to the front and wear antlers and sing Rudolph at Christmas, or to march around with imaginary hats to the tune of Valderi, Valdera. In fact there was fun for children of all ages.

Their commitment to the Singers and to the community has been enormous and Mark and Joan spent countless hours finding music and preparing programs for the enjoyment of both the Singers and the community. To recognize this commitment over so many years, Annette Groves, regional councillor, made a presentation on behalf of the Town. Councillor Groves presented a Town flag and pins to Joan and Mark and thanked them for their devotion and service to the community over so many years.

In order for the members of the Singers to convey their great love and respect for both these hard-working individuals, one of the members, Joyce Colquette, presented Joan and Mark with a gift certificate for accommodation at an inn located in the Niagara region. Joan also received a bouquet of flowers.

In the fall, the Caledon Community Singers will continue under the guidance of Rick Gowdy, who will pick up the baton and carry on the tradition. It's hoped the members of the community will continue to support us as faithfully as they have in the past.