Highlands Christmas Shindig is back

Three women dressed in costumes are standing next to each other on a stage.

Robin Duke, who acted as Wendy Kurtz from the Schitt’s Creek television show, shows how her “pashmona” wrap can be used in the case of an “accident” at the Annual Highlands Christmas Shindig in 2021. /FILE

The show must go on, and it did, and it will again on Saturday, Dec. 3, at the Northern Lights Pavilion! Now in its ninth year, Fuel for Warmth’s signature community fundraiser – Highlands Christmas Shindig – has defied being shutdown by the pandemic for two years in a row with live-streaming of the event, raising $45,000 last year which helped to heat the homes of Haliburton residents in need. This year, with rising inflation, the need is even greater.


The brain child of past Highlander of the Year Mike Jaycock, and his exuberant Canoe FM on-air co-host Lorraine McNeil, (who has since passed away), brought to life the Shindig’s engaging hosts, Dame Beatrice (Jaycock), and Elf (McNeil), with the assistance of Sir Cedric (Jaycock’s brother, Peter).


This year the baton is being passed to two new Shindig co-hosts: the ever-handy Marple Syrup (Victoria Bingham) and the super organized/always on schedule, Patsy Pine (Amy Brohm).


“Fuel for Warmth (FFW) is a great cause and we’re excited to be hosting this year,” Bingham said. “We have a whole team of volunteers who have been working behind the scenes: David and Betty Mills, Sean Pennylegion, Heather Smith, Jack Brezina, Jennifer Hughey, Sue Waite, Barb Murphy, Mark Tomlinson, Tammy Rae, and Jim Love, with additional transitional support from Mike Jaycock, Joanne Barnes, and Lorne McNeil.”


Shindig’s great entertainment lineup
Bingham excitedly shared the list of this year’s Shindig acts. “Classic rock musician and performer, Jeff Moulton and Dan O’Neill with special guest Doug Hall. A skit from the Rural Roques featuring Kate Butler and David Zilstra. Two excerpts from The Nutcracker performed by the Skyline Dance Studio, Melissa Stephens and Tom Regina. The Recycled Teenagers: Drew Allen Jodi Timgren and guests. And, the ever-popular, Gord Kidd & Friends.”


Shindig’s great raffle prizes
You won’t want to miss out on your chance to win some great prizes donated by the following local businesses: Abbey Gardens, Wintergreen Pancake and Maple Syrup Barn, Wind in the Willows Spa, Rails End Gallery, Haliburton Highlands Brewery, HaliUkes, Miners Bay Lodge, the Canopy Tour from Haliburton Forest, Folk Society, Highlands Summer Festival and the Wine Store. $10 for a strip of 12 raffle tickets or 3 strips for $20.


Fuel for Warmth also passes the baton
Taking the reigns this past summer as Executive Director of FFW from its founder, Joanne Barnes – Jennifer Hughey said: “It was a great opportunity to give back to the community and to the county as a whole. The need in Haliburton County compared to other areas in Ontario is substantially greater when it comes to affordable or attainable housing as well as individuals who have to make hard choices at the end of the month when it comes to their bills and basic necessities like groceries, fuel for their vehicle and heat for their home. We are hoping to raise the same amount as last year, if not more, considering that the need is greater than it has been in the past.”


As early as last September, FFW began receiving inquiries for aid. “There are a lot of new people in need, with small families and young children,” Hughey said. “The Shindig is a great way to help support the community and have a great night out.”


Shindig tickets
Tickets are $30 and can be purchased in person at Up River Trading Company in Minden or Haliburton, or call Betty at 705-457-1354.
Contact information for Fuel for Warmth is on their website: fuelforwarmth.com or email fuelforwarmthincorporated@gmail.com or phone 705-854-9208.

A man is playing a guitar and a woman is singing into a microphone.

Highlands Christmas Shindig set to warm homes

By Sue Tiffin • April 1, 2024
Dame Beatrice laughs with the audience during some banter with musicians Rob Muir, left, and Nick Russell at the Highlands Christmas Shindig in 2018./Archived photo
A group of people are standing on a stage playing instruments.

History of the Highlands Christmas Shindig

By M. Jaycock • December 30, 2023
Almost ten years ago, the Highlands Christmas Shindig came about from a chance conversation between two Canoe FM personalities, Mike Jaycock and Lorraine McNeil. Mike had always had a desire to mount a Christmas Pantomime for the highlands, but due the exceedingly high costs of rented scenery and costumes it was not a workable concept. Expressing his disappointment to Lorraine she suggested that we should have our own homemade version of a holiday season show, a sort of a Shindig if you will. Lorraine, who was a supporter and donor to Fuel for Warmth, suggested that the show could done in support of their important work in the county. Agreed. The Highlands Christmas Shindig was a go! Mike enlisted volunteer help from a wonderful group of people associated with Highlands Summer Festival and Highlands Little Theatre. From the very outset, talented local musicians and groups, and caring sponsors, jumped on board to support the event. Dame Beatrice (Mike Jaycock,) Elf (Lorraine McNeil) and Sir Cedric Bridlington ((the third) Peter Jaycock)) were the hosts and helped develop a comic thread that brought the audience into the show and connected them to the talented guests on stage. The show has evolved over the years and new volunteers were introduced to audiences. Victoria Bingham, as Dame Beatrice’s housemaid Penelope, became an important part of the show following the passing of Lorraine McNeil. Now in its tenth year, the Shindig can proudly point to the fund raising success on behalf of Fuel for Warmth as well as the warm applause and laughter that the Shindig has brought to young and older audiences year in and year out. It is a prime example of how volunteers make the world a better place, for everyone.