It gives me great pleasure to start off by reporting that our Fall Show "A Gilbert & Sullivan Christmas Carol" was a great success. The final figures are not in as yet, but we have made a significant profit on the show. It appears that we have a hit on our hands! We had sellİout crowds at the Halifax venue and excellent houses at Carrefour as well. I would like to express my own personal thanks and appreciation to everyone in the cast, crew and on the production team. This show was not without its difficulties and frustrations, but everyone pulled together to make it the rousing success it was. Special thanks go to Producer, Bill VanGorder; to Carolyn Smedley for her excellent work in coordinating the telephone ticket orders; to Dan Eisenhauer for organizing frontİofİhouse; to Colette Lambert & Judy Reade who, although they had no intention of really being involved in a production this fall, made a special effort to help with costuming; to Bob Brinn for designing the lights in Halifax. We also owe thanks to Holly Irving and Adrien Ouellette of Dartmouth Players who stepped in at the last minute to help hand and operate the lighting in Halifax.

Production has already started on "The Mikado." Auditions were held Dec 6 & 8 and at the time of this writing auditionees are being contacted with the results of their auditions. The first rehearsal and singİthrough for "Mikado" will be held on Tuesday, January 7, 1997 at 7:30 PM at St. John' Church. Scores will be available at that time and will cost $25 each. Darrel O'Neil is handling the scores again this year. Scores will not be loaned; they must be paid for to be released. If they are returned at the end of the season, a $20 refund applies.

The deadline to declare your intention to sing in the Chorus of "Mikado" was December 10, 1996. If you have not yet made your declaration to me (and it would seem from my list that a number of people haven't) you can still do so, but will be placed on a waiting list. If your section has not reached the maximum number of 12, people will be placed on a first come, first served basis. The soprano and alto sections are now closed. A hearty "welcome back!" to Nadine Martin who will be rejoining us as accompanist this spring.

Road trips are confirmed for May 24, 1997 in Annapolis Royal (2 shows) and May 31, 1997 in Liverpool (one show).

Don't forget the poster competition. Deadline for entries is January 15, 1997. All entries should be forwarded to Mort Fels. The prize is a Tİshirt and two complimentary tickets to the show. The artwork will be used in all promotional material.

The 20th Anniversary dinner of the Society is scheduled for Saturday, January 25, 1997 at 7:00 PM at the Prince George Hotel in Halifax. The cost of the evening will be $30 per person which will include free parking, a preİdinner drink and a sitİdown three course meal in the Windsor Room. This opulent setting will be further enhanced by souvenir menus, placemats and an evening packed with entertainment and fun. We are hoping to attract a large number of members from the past as well as the present. To this end, will you please confirm your attendance to Chris Rowntree at 827İ2228. Seating is limited to 100 so call quickly. Chris assures me that if we get a good response early enough, we will be able to seat more than 100.

Thanks to Mort and Sabina Fels for hosting the Christmas Party again this year. Those of you who were unable to be there missed a really good time.

See you in January,

Esther