June 10, 2004
By Barry Hendry, The Bancroft Times
When segment producer Robert Prowse readied the crowd of close to 300 for the taping of the announcement of the winner, he said, "You may have guessed by the amount of production people here today what the answer is." The crowd actually did "go nuts" and the cheers erupted and the hugs and slaps on the back had to be quelled minutes later. Bancroft won and its talented community holds the Studio 2 title as Ontario's Most Talented Town.
It was the Co-Host of Studio 2 Paula Todd, who then had to re-announce the good news so the filming crew could capture Bancroft's reaction as they announced it at millennium Park. The crowd quickly learned how to cheer on queue and how to scream with delight as if it were the first time.
It was a thrill to learn that all their efforts had been successful. What was exceptional was to hear why the judges chose this town over what Co-Host Steve Paikin said were 150 entries. In second place was Parry Sound and North Bay placed third.
The judges were: Rob Brown, an author of many books on small Ontario towns; Sudbury Star Arts Reporter, Artist Rob O'Flanagan; and Studio 2 Senior Arts Producer Judy Brake.
When Paikin asked why the video from Bancroft had been the deciding factor, Judy Brake said, "There were a lot of very good entries, but when we got halfway through the Bancroft video, we all just said, 'How can we top this?'" She said it "had such variety", it was "organic" with "great expression of its talent."
Brown added, "It started with someone saying, 'There is a pulse here in Bancroft.' And then they demonstrated it. This is a place an artist dreams of finding. Lots of talent and all getting along."
Judge Rob O'Flanagan simply said the Bancroft video "set the benchmark." He expanded in a press release by adding, "My first exposure to Bancroft (in the video) made me want to move to the town for a transfusion of creative energy. This place has the kind of artistic spirit you hope and dream exists somewhere, anywhere. It's a close knit community with artists of all kinds coming out of the woodwork."
All their compliments are in large part due to the filmmaker, Lester Alfonso, who did such a fine job of capturing the energy put into the filming of all the artists. Without their combined talent, there would not have been an entry or a reason to apply.
Of course, it is understood that the artists who form the arts community of Bancroft and residents in town and across North Hastings all share in this award.
Compliments and gratitude are also deserving for those on the committee who helped this reporter get through it all. Those are Christine FitzSimons, Judy Edgar, Barry and Betty Lambeck, Abe Drennan, Kevin Taylor and David McIntosh. The committee's ideas and efforts set the stage, but the artists brought their talent to the video and their energy and enthusiasm was there for the camera.
Brown gave a brief history of the town and he obviously caught the details in the video that portrayed that, lik the shot of the art gallery and the railway station. He also mentioned our rich cache of minerals. Judge Brake said, "You know, they even make a festival out of the minerals. It's called the Gemboree!"
Paikin asked the judges why towns with major festivals did not make the cut to be chosen a finalist. Flanagan said, "We were looking for a creative community that didn't just send in tourist pamphlets, one that made the extra effort. We were looking for a Saltspring Island kind of community. Where the arts are nurtured. The video showed this is a nurturing community."
Brake added, "They made this video a community event. There's a great spirit here, it's in the video. It's even in the winter, they have Frosty Frolics. It's generic, there. It's a place you want to go to."
Artist Sonny Cook and Algonquin Arts Council President Kevin Taylor, were asked to speak for the community with co-host Todd.
Both agreed it is the people of Bancroft that makes the town and the energy that went into its entry into the competition.
Cook answered Todd's joking question about there being something in the water here, with, "It's the water, the rocks, and the trees. You feel inspired in Bancroft. Some people say it's the crystals in the rocks, but it's the people." Taylor concluded, "It's the people. There is a wild and artistic community here."
Those who missed the airing of the Studio 2 show on June 8 and 9 will have a chance to see it as it reruns over the summer on TV Ontario. Those who attended the June 7 taping were all preparing to tape the show for posterity and, no doubt, those copies will be circulating. For a chance to just see the five minute video, the Town of Bancroft's copy is at the Bancroft Public Library.
The entry was a combined effort with this newspaper's support as well as the Moose FM 97.7. They were assisted by the unique financial partnership of the Town of Bancroft, the Community Futures Development Corporation of North and Central Hastings and South Algonquin, the Algonquin Arts Council and the Bancroft and District Chamber of Commerce.