Patrick Stack and Stephen Chang will be coming to Hope this fall for the 40th anniversary celebration of Rambo: First Blood.
Events will be held over the Canadian Thanksgiving long weekend, Oct. 7-10.
Both Stack and Chang acted in the film.
Stack played the role of Clinton Morgan, a lieutenant in the U.S. National Guard who leads a group of men in search of Rambo after he escapes police custody.
His character is one every fan talks about because of his humour and the bumbling comedy he brings to his scene in the movie,” said Brian McKinney, one of the organizers of Hope’s Rambo celebration. “He’s just as fun to talk to in person and the fans are going to love him.”
Stick is also known for roles on hit 1980s TV shows like Simon and Simon, Dynasty, Hardcastle and McCormick, The Greatest American Hero and Cheers.
“When we contacted him he was like, ‘You know what Brian? This sounds like a blast,’” McKinney said. “Patrick and his wife Louise are coming and we’ve convinced them to stay the entire weekend, arriving in town on Friday afternoon and leaving Monday.”
Chang played the role of a Viet Cong commander in a flashback scene where he is shown torturing Rambo, dragging a bayonet rifle blade across his chest.
Though his role in Rambo is brief, the Kung-Fu Grandmaster has a following among Rambo fans.
The family of Brian Dennehy is also making the trip to Hope.
While details are still being finalized, McKinney said at least two of his daughters and their husbands, plus one of his grandsons, will be here. The grandson, William, is an award-winning documentary filmmaker who plans to produce a film on the 40th anniversary.
“William has already flown to Toronto to speak with Ted Kotcheff, who directed Rambo: First Blood,” McKinney noted.
While Stack and Chang both played the roles of Rambo antagonists, no one was more opposed to the title character than Dennehy’s Will Teasle, the sheriff of the fictional town of Hope, WA.
Teasle was vindictive and prone to abusing his power, and when he decided that the scruffy-looking Vietnam vet didn’t belong in his town, he went too far. Teasle allowed police officers under his command to push Rambo to a breaking point, and chaos followed.
BRAINERD — First Congregational United Church of Christ is celebrating its 150th anniversary with not one but several community-based events.
The Brainerd church at Juniper and North Fifth streets is observing its sesquicentennial anniversary a year after the city celebrated the 150th anniversary of its founding.
“I’ve been really looking at a lot of newspapers from way back,” said Cynthia Janes, a member of the church and co-coordinator of the church’s anniversary celebratory events. “The sanctuary is the oldest in the Brainerd area right now.”
First Congregational United Church of Christ is one of Brainerd’s first churches. The land on which it stands was granted in a transfer of ownership in 1872 by the Lake Superior and Puget Sound Co. to J. Gregory Smith “as Trustee for the Congregational Church and Society.”
“I was able to move here with my wife, Charlotte, and we’ve been together 42 years,” Janes said of relocating from North Carolina. “Before that, I was coming up to help my mother stay in her home.”
According to the Crow Wing County Historical Society, the Northern Pacific Railroad survey crew chose the spot in 1870 where the tracks would cross the Mississippi River. A year later, the first train rolled into Brainerd.
“I attended the church that my mother went to, which is the First Congregational Church, here, and just loved the people in the church and the community and the feeling, and it was a big reason that we moved here to Brainerd was that church,” Janes said.
A detail image of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, is part a prominent window on the south wall of the historic Brainerd church. The First Congregational United Church of Christ in Brainerd will celebrate its sesquicentennial anniversary with a series of community events beginning with the June 19, 2022, church event “Pipe Organ Concert and Stories in Stained Glass.”
Steve Kohls / Brainerd Dispatch
The East Gull Lake resident who is in her 70s worked as a medical psychologist before she retired.
“People in that church — if there’s something that’s really interesting and helpful going on to build community or to help people in need in Brainerd — people in that church are often involved in it,” Janes said.
Smith, a Congregationalist, not only donated the funds for the church building but was involved with the design and construction, according to church officials, and an organ and pews were donated by Congregationalists in Vermont. The local congregation supplied the bell.
“We’re not a church of believing this and that and the other thing,” Janes said. “We’re a church of following Jesus’ example of helping those who need help and improving the community by spreading love by doing things, not just talking about it.”
First Congregational United Church of Christ was officially organized on Aug. 13, 1872, with 18 members. The cornerstone was laid on Aug. 14, 1872, and dedicated on Jan. 22, 1873.
Gregory Park is directly across the street from the church and was named for the church’s founder, and the city of Brainerd was named for his wife’s maiden name.
“Her father was a senator and Mr. Smith named the town of Brainerd after that family — after his wife’s father and his wife — and he founded our church,” Janes said. “He paid for it. He built it.”
A detail of the full length window from the east wall of the historic Brainerd church on Tuesday, June 14, 2022, is highlighted.
Steve Kohls / Brainerd Dispatch
The wooden structure was destroyed by fire Jan. 7, 1881, and was rebuilt with the funding coming once again from Smith.
“He wasn’t here anymore when it burned down. But he still paid for building a new church that is still in existence,” Janes said. “And it’s also interesting that it’s built with the same bricks that the Northern Pacific shops are built from.”
By May 1881, $4,000 had been raised through donations and the current building was erected in the summer of 1881 at a cost of $13,000, according to local historian Ann M. Nelson, “and contains the finest stained glass windows in the city of Brainerd.”
“People got together and said, ‘You know, this person was so important in the creation of our church, in the community, let’s memorialize that person. Let’s put something permanent, that we can point to,’” Janes said of the 16 adults and three children depicted in the windows.
“Those people were honored because their values were ones that people thought were important. And those values were helping others who are in need and building community.”
The current building was dedicated Sept. 30, 1883. And from that date, First Congregational United Church of Christ has been home to the oldest sanctuary in continuous use in the entire Brainerd area and remains a vibrant part of the Brainerd community, according to officials.
“We need love and we need acts of kindness and community building, and that’s what we’re all about,” Janes said.
During the long history of the church, its congregations have been dedicated to helping the community beyond its doors with a message of service to others and one of inclusion and acceptance of all, according to church officials.
A window depicting Jesus as the shepherd of the little sheep is a prominent feature of the north wall of the sanctuary of the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Brainerd. The sanctuary is the oldest in the Brainerd lakes area, according to church officials.
Steve Kohls / Brainerd Dispatch
“If you think Jesus was a good person and you like the example, then here’s a place that you can find like-minded people to do good in the world when so much hate is prevalent now in our society,” Janes said.
The church invites Brainerd lakes area residents to celebrate its long history by attending one of the sesquicentennial events, which begins at 3 p.m. Sunday, June 19, with a pipe organ concert, sanctuary and stained-glass windows presentations, and a silent auction.
“It’s a very, very well-built church, so it’s going to be there for another 150 years — we hope,” Janes said.
‘Summer of Celebration’ events
3 p.m. Sunday, June 19 — “Pipe Organ Concert and Stories in Stained Glass” with organists Laura Raedeke and Grace Forbord. A presentation about the historic sanctuary and stained-glass windows and a silent auction will also occur. (Arrive early for a self-guided tour.)
5-8 p.m. June 25 — “All Church Reunion” of current and former attendees and their friends and families are invited to enjoy an hors d’oeuvre buffet and a history video that includes many from the church’s long history, or participate in the ongoing silent auction.
10 a.m. June 26 — “Celebratory Service of Live Music” will feature local musicians on the church lawn. Root beer floats will be offered as a summertime treat, and attendees will have one more chance to bid on the silent auction.
5-7 p.m. July 19 — “Party and Picnic in the Park” is an open invitation to surrounding churches, neighborhood residents and all who may be interested in joining the congregation for free food, games, other fun activities and a few surprises.
10 a.m. Aug. 14 — “Rooted in Faith, Growing in Love” is the culminating service of the church’s 150th-anniversary celebration. The service will be filled with special music, feature a mayoral proclamation and will be followed by a dessert buffet.
680 CJOB is proud to support Manitoba Possible as they celebrate the Easter Seals 100th Anniversary on June 16th!
Title: Easter Seals Centennial Celebrations
Date: June 16, 2022
Location: Across the province
Easter Seals is celebrating its 100th anniversary in Canada this year, and landmarks across the province will be lighting up in red – the official colour of Easter Seals – in honour of an inclusive and accessible society! On June 16th, Manitoba will celebrate with light displays in Winnipeg, Selkirk, Dauphin, Steinbach, Brandon, and Morden, where Easter Seals Manitoba / Manitoba Possible has regional offices. There will also be a flag raising at Brandon University on June 16th and red gardens planted in honour of the centennial.
Manitoba Possible, the provincial affiliate of Easter Seals Canada, works to eliminate barriers to full and equal participation for children, youth, and adults with disabilities in Manitoba.
Light Ups & Events Near You:
Winnipeg:
The Winnipeg sign at the Forks
The Legislature
The Manitoba Museum
Brandon:
Brandon City Hall
Brandon University will have red gardens & fly an Easter Seals Manitoba flag
Taipei, June 16, 2022 — Hong Kong authorities should allow media outlets to freely cover the inauguration of Chief Executive-elect John Lee and the 25th anniversary of the territory’s handover to China, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday.
On the evening of Thursday, June 16, applications closed for media outlets to seek access to cover ceremonies marking both events, scheduled for July 1; the Hong Kong Journalists Association trade group and the Hong Kong Free Press news website both reported that at least 10 domestic and local outlets were not invited or allowed to apply to cover the events.
The HKFP reported that many of those outlets regularly receive invitations to other Hong Kong government events, but the Information Services Department, the government’s primary communication agency, said only select media outlets had been invited to cover the July 1 events due to considerations including the COVID-19 pandemic, security requirements, and space restraints.
Hong Kong news website InMedia reported that, when it applied to cover the events, an Information Services Department official said “those who need invitations have already received theirs.”
“Hong Kong’s claims to honor press freedom should compel it to offer open access for media coverage of important events, such as the inauguration of John Lee as chief executive and the 25th anniversary of the handover,” said Steven Butler, CPJ’s Asia program coordinator, in Washington, D.C. “Barring some media outlets from freely covering such events severely undercuts the credibility of incoming Chief Executive Lee, who has repeatedly said that Hong Kong enjoys press freedom.”
The Information Services Department failed to invite or approve access for the Japanese outlets Nikkei, Asahi Shimbun, and Kyodo News; Taiwan’s CTV; the U.S. photo wire Getty Images; the Europe Pressphoto Agency; and Hong Kong’s InMedia, the Photographic Society of Hong Kong, Truth Media Hong Kong, and the HKFP, according to the HKFP’s report.
According to InMedia, the department asked news outlets to include photos and the personal information of the journalists who planned to attend in their applications.
In its statement, the Hong Kong Journalists Association called for authorities to be more inclusive by accepting media organizations’ applications to attend the events.
CPJ emailed the Information Services Department for comment but did not immediately receive any reply.
“I am overwhelmed with the positive feedback we have received from the participants and our speakers alike. Really pleased with how we at Neoss have managed to take dental events to a new level with the implementation of new technology never seen before in the industry. The future is bright for Neoss.”
Dr. Robert Gottlander, CEO and President of Neoss Group.
This milestone celebration marked 20 years since the first Neoss implant was placed, and that initial patient was present on stage to commemorate the event. This was also the first time the latest 10-year data on the Neoss implants was presented along with a significant amount of positive clinical research.
“Wow, this has been 3 amazing days of education and celebration. I think all speakers did an outstanding job and that has also shown in the extremely positive response that we have received!”
Prof. Christer Dahlin, Scientific Chairman
Neoss launched multiple new products at the meeting. The most notable was the Neoss branded intraoral scanner, NeoScan 1000TM. An easy to use, fast, light weight intraoral scanner that fits perfectly into any practice’s digital workflow. Other notable launches were a new surgical tray, new surgical tools, SLM implant bridges and more.
About Neoss®
Neoss offers intelligent solutions that are intuitively easy to use. Our products allow dental professionals to provide reliable and cost-effective treatments to their patients with predictable long-term results. Leading the market with ingenuity and integrity, we strive to set new standards. In developing smart treatment solutions and working closely with each practice, Neoss makes the complex less complicated. We call that Intelligent Simplicity. Headquartered in Harrogate, UK, with research and development based in Gothenburg, Sweden, the company has established a global footprint with a long-standing presence in key markets. To find out more visit https://www.neoss.com
The museum’s Lancaster aircraft will be open to visitors for interior tours during SkyFest50. (Photo: Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum Fecbook)
One of Hamilton’s most popular attractions is celebrating a milestone anniversary this summer and they’re celebrating with a really big event.
The Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum (CWHM) is marking its 50th Anniversary later this month with a special two-day event that invites guests to get up close and personal with some of the museum’s aircraft and their crews.
The CWHM started out as a restoration project for a group of friends who were aviation enthusiasts back in 1972.
In its five decades, the museum has grown into an internationally renowned collection of 50 aircraft that were flown by Canadians and Canadian military services from the beginning of the Second World War to today.
To celebrate the ongoing legacy of Hamilton’s beloved museum, SkyFest50 will run from June 25 to June 26 and will feature fly-bys of the museum’s Firefly, Dakota, B-25 Mitchell, and Canso.
Aircraft like the Mosquito, Hurricane, Spitfire, P-51 Mustang, P-40 Warhawk, and P-39 Aircobra will also be making appearances at this year’s SkyFest.
The museum’s legendary Lancaster will be open for interior tours for the event but is currently undergoing some preventative maintenance to replace one of its engines so it won’t be taking to the skies for at least a few more weeks.
In addition to SkyFest50, the CWHM is hosting a homecoming event on June 18th for past and present members, staff and volunteers for a “casual afternoon of socializing and reminiscing.”
Tickets for SkyFest are currently on sale for the event, though a notice on the museum’s website said that tickets for Saturday (June 25) are already sold out.
A preview event is scheduled for Friday but there will be no access to the ramp.
Tickets for SkyFest50can be purchased through the museum’s website. So too can tickets for the homecoming event.
Where: Salvation Army Addiction and Rehabilitation Centre, 525 Johnson St.
When: Thursday through Sunday
Tickets: $10 (suggested donation) from snafudance.com
Ingrid Hansen has been involved with William Head on Stage since 2006, when she volunteered to lead workshops for incarcerated artists at the federal correctional institution.
Canada’s longest-running prison theatre program had been in full swing for 25 years when the Victoria-based Hansen signed on, and was already the subject of national attention. But the SNAFU Society of Unexpected Spectacles co-founder has injected new life into W.H.o.S. productions in the years since — the latest being Prison Theatre Time Machine, which runs tonight through Sunday at the Salvation Army Addiction and Rehabilitation Centre on Wharf Street.
The project is a collaboration between members of W.H.o.S. and SNAFU, the dance and theatre company Hansen runs with Kathleen Greenfield. Hansen describes the event as “part theatre exhibit, part art installation, part shadow puppetry performance,” with a set co-designed and built by Jeni Luther and several incarcerated artists at the correctional institution.
The gallery exhibit and performance series is celebrating 40 years of prison theatre at William Head. Guided tours through the pop-up gallery include reams of memorabilia from four decades of W.H.o.S., including photos, posters, clothing, news articles, costume pieces, audio recordings and more.
“It’s a tribute to all the hard work and sweat which has gone into making these shows over the years,” Hansen said. “It really is a time machine.”
The company was unable to stage its annual play for the public in 2021, due to the pandemic, which would have marked its 40th year of operation. Hansen felt it was important to mark the date with an appropriate celebration, so Prison Theatre Time Machine was bumped forward one year to its spot on the calendar this weekend.
“Forty years of passing the baton from incarcerated artist to incarcerated artist, as they get paroled, is an achievement,” Hansen said.
W.H.o.S. has grown exponentially during the past 10 years, Hansen said. The artists involved have begun making their own work, collaboratively staging their own shows of original material (in the past, the program primarily tackled work by outside sources, from George Orwell and Bertolt Brecht to J. R. R. Tolkien and William Shakespeare). Attendees will have an opportunity to see the progression unfold this weekend, as Prison Theatre Time Machine is arranged by decade in chronological order.
There will also be music provided by residents of the Salvation Army Addiction and Rehabilitation Centre, Hansen said.
Guided tours of 10 people run every 45 minutes during operating hours. Attendees are required to pre-book, due to demand. Tickets are available for purchase by donation through snafudance.com.
On April 27, come celebrate and learn about the STEM Education Center’s work with PreK-12 educators. Enjoy light refreshments with old and new friends.
3:30-4:30 pm and 5-5:30 pm: Connect with peers and learn about our Center’s work in empowering PreK-12 educators, supporting STEM education research, and engaging with our local community.
4:30-5 pm Special Program: Recognizing the role of our Center in STEM education and the retirement of the Center’s founder, Dr. Martha Cyr ’87, ’97.
