Rousing success for Not Just Desserts

April 29, 2014  

By Darren Lum

Highlands East came out to cheer the hero and jeer the villain at the Not Just Desserts event at the Lloyd Watson Memorial Centre in Wilberforce.

Highlands East Council members Cecil Ryall, as the burglar, front, awaits his punishment as Dave Burton, as the father, back left, Suzanne Patridge, as the daughter, Steve Kauffeldt, as the plumber and hero, and Joan Barton, as the mother celebrate during the end of the pantomime Trouble in the Cellar at the Not Just Desserts event on April 25 at the Lloyd Watson Memorial Centre in Wilberforce. This event included two pantomimes, live music, dessert, and was a fundraiser for the Wilberforce library.

With close to 200 people in attendance, this event raised close to $1,500 in gate receipts and in silent auction sales over two days from Friday, April 25 to Saturday, April 26.

The community has raised a little more than $37,000 of the $40,000 goal through monthly events, started more than a year ago.
The weekend event, which included two pantomimes The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter and Trouble in the Cellar, a silent auction and a variety of cakes and pies, was possible through the efforts of the Wilberforce Library Launchers and the Loop Troupe Little Theatre group.

Loop Troupe president Dan Linkert, who said approximately $900 worth of gate receipts were donated by the Loop Troupe, said it was the best event he has been part of in his 20 years with the acting group.
Linkert credited the community for its support and the Highlands East council, who all performed in the second pantomime Trouble in the Cellar.

He is optimistic about the event’s future.

All proceeds of this event contribute to the furnishing of the new Wilberforce library.
Highlands East Reeve Dave Burton said the library officially opens on June 24.


Nine-year-old Hannah Huffman of Wilberforce enjoys her pie at the Not Just Desserts event on April 25 at the Lloyd Watson Memorial Centre in Wilberforce. This event included two pantomimes, live music, dessert, and was a fundraiser for the Wilberforce library.