Anyone who’s attended the Thorold Lions’ annual spring dinner dance knows the drill.
Whenever performer Pat Hewitt yells out, “Sociable,” everyone raises their glass—whether it’s filled with wine, beer, or water—and echoes, “Sociable!”
“It is a down east thing,” Hewitt told ThoroldNews, “but I got it from a bar entertainer at The Rathskeller Campus Pub at McMaster (University) in the 70s. His name was London Bobby. I thought it was kinda cool. I've been using it on stage since 1975. It is my website (www.sociable.com) and my vanity license plate.”
Tickets are selling quickly for the April 6 Sociable, said Lion Sharon Major, committee chair of the event.
Moved this year to John-Michaels Banquet Centre at 1368 Uppers Lane in Thorold South, the Spring Sociable draws Hewitt fans from Sarnia, Toronto, Brampton, Branford, Etobicoke, Hamilton, Pickering, Oshawa, and Niagara Falls, as well as Thorold, she added, and allows GTA visitors “to enjoy what Niagara has to offer: wineries, parks, shopping, bed and breakfasts; and support a good cause.”
Tickets cost $30 and include an evening of music and dancing, kicked off by an Italian buffet dinner consisting of assorted rolls and butter, spring salad, Bruschetta bread, pasta with tomato basil sauce, penne Alfredo, sausage and meatballs, breaded chicken cutlet, coffee, tea and assorted mini pastries.
There will be door prizes, special draws, and a 50/50 raffle as well.
“It's our largest and main fundraiser” of the year, stated Major. “We count on the people of Thorold and Niagara to support our club and various causes, such as Lions Camps for dialysis patients, the deaf and blind, building bike stations, supplying water in the park, planting trees, Community Care, blankets for people out in the cold, and supplying meals for the Salvation Army Mobile unit.”
Major and Hewitt grew up in the same neighbourhood in Erindale Woodlands (Mississauga), she explained.
“Pat Hewitt is a dear friend of mine. Pat performed at various university pubs and local establishments and just enjoys music and people.”
A Brock University graduate, Hewitt is also an established chiropractor, she noted.
“Music is his hobby and side love."
The Thorold tradition began when she approached Hewitt to perform at the first Sociable, “as Pat has a very large following, especially Brock Alumni. It allowed me to reach out to old friends for support of our small (Lions) Club, have a yearly reunion, and introduce Pat's talent and showmanship to new people. Pat, along with our various donors, contribute to the success of this event,” said Major.
“I needed to count on them to help get the word out and get attendance up the first year. We needed to establish and find a niche in fundraising and this event is now in its third year. We have grown in attendance and are hopeful that we will have 200 people” on April 6.
Tickets can be purchased by calling her at 905-736-0530, by visiting Print Three on Towpath Street, or online through www.eventbrite.ca (search for Thorold Lions). Prize donations are also welcomed.
