Lakeside Living
By Kay Davis

Phone: (376) 766-4774
or 765-3676 to leave messages
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

April 2011

PAST EVENTS:

 

At the February CASA meeting – that’s Culinary Society of Ajijic – the fun side rose to new heights, especially with dessert presentations. Among the nine entries for the Valentine Dessert category were Slices of Sin, Sex in a Pan, Lover’s Tryst Trifle, Menage au Trois (Three Saucy Berries Swaddled in Cake and Cream), and My Hearts Delight Cranberry and Nut Shortbread. Winners were Sally Myers’ Lovers Tryst Trifle (first place), Hazel Tash’s Francais Daquoise (second place), and third place went to new member Nancy Baxter for her Menage au Trois.

Category A, Cajun/Creole Entrée, included Wayne Palfrey’s Old Bay Chicken (first place), Monica Malloy’s Shrimp and Crab Stuffed Eggplant with Shrimp Sauce (second place) and Mary Ann Waite’s Galatoire’s Shrimp and Crab Remoulade (third place).

People’s Choice awards went to Helena Feldstein for her Creole Shrimp Risotto and Hazel Tash for Francais Daquoise.

Categories for the March 28 meeting are Vegetarian Main Dish and Cookies and Bars. Anyone interested in learning more about CASA, contact Mary Ann Waite, President, at 766 – 1436. 

 


Joe DeLeon, Wayne Palfrey and Monica Molloy prepare CASA table

 

March 4 Efren Gonzalez, Salvador Ortiz, GGG and Harriet Hart held a showing at the Centro Cultural de Ajijic at the Ajijic plaza. With multiple displays, including the children’s art program taught by Efren Gonzalez, the cultural center buzzed with activity. The children’s art showed much promise and there were cards for sale for 25 pesos. Each purchase was a form of encouragement that is well deserved. One thing I observed throughout the time I spent meandering through the show was that Efren personally assisted elderly visitors, demonstrating not just good manners, but genuine concern for their well being. Who, you may ask, is GGG? Gil Guillermo Gonzalez, student and son of the host.

With all those painters, why was Harriet Hart, a popular writer on our shore, at the show? Harriet wrote a children’s book and had the illustrations done by one of Efren’s students (see photo). I bought one and sent it to a granddaughter who is expecting to present me with my first great-grandchild (gasp!). I bought the book because it is truly a wonderful children’s book with both Spanish and English on the same page, covering that part of the story. The Spanish is easy to follow for children to begin learning the language, and in return the English is also easy for Spanish-speaking youngsters. And the art that lined the walls was worthy of the attention it received.

 


Luís Alejandro Rojas, illustrator of Harriet Hart’s children’s book, Miguel Motomot, shows a sample of the bird that is the chief character in the story

 March 17 was a St. Pat’s for Pets Party sponsored by Lakeside Friends of the Animals and hosted by Hector Ladron and Heather Zaina Altmire. Funds raised were used to pay for surgeries of injured animals or spay/neuter of pets for Mexicans of poor means, LFA’s primary mission. There is no connection between LFA and the Spay and Neuter Ranch. From the donations received, LFA has paid for 209 dog and 134 cat surgeries plus testing of 202 cats for leukemia. Funds were also used to buy food for Anita’s Animals plus shelters in Joco and Chapala.

But the St. Pat’s event wasn’t just about funds. People really had a good time, dancing to the “Dirty Dogs” and enjoying food prepared by a gourmet chef. And since St. Pat was in Ireland, the party featured Guiness beer and Irish memorabilia brought over from Ireland.

 


John Marshall, President of Lakeside Friends of Animals,
With Heather Zaina Altmire and Hector Ladron

 The British Society Meeting of March had an interesting guest speaker who introduced the option of dental implants. His name is Dr. Edgard Macías Solano. Treatment planning was addressed along with the need for consultation with a dentist, oral surgeon and/or periodontist or prosthodontist. Once an implant is recommended, the treatment is available at several sources Lakeside. Reasonable costs are available at Ajijic Express Dental, for instance. The society thanked Dr. Macías, giving him a Certificate of Appreciation for his presentation.

 


Dr. Edgard Macías Solano receives certificate from Ceri Dando

 EVENTS TO COME:

April 6 – 7 Los Cantantes Spring Concert will be performed at the Auditorio de la Ribera. Two concerts will be given: April 6 at 7 p.m. and April 7 at 4 p.m. The show is called “Facets of Love” and will be led by Timothy G. Ruff Welch, the group’s music director. There will be songs ranging from love of country to romantic love to love of self to love/hate. There will be poetry by Pablo Neruda and Rainer Marta Rike set to music. Opera, pop, musicals and movie music, as well as songs in many languages, fill up this exciting and diverse program. Some of the pieces will be accompanied by an instrumental combo. There is an increasing number of local musicians involved and new members as well as many long standing choristers. Some of these new members will be featured in solo work throughout the concert as well as in the choral numbers.

Los Cantantes is planning to go to Vancouver next summer to participate in the annual choral competition with groups from many nations. The proceeds from these April concerts will help with the cost of travel; additional costs will be paid by the individuals traveling. Tickets are $200 pesos each.

They are available at LCS, M – F, 10 a.m. – 12 noon, March 28 – April 5 or they can be purchased from Los Cantantes members or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Check their website at www. loscantantesdellago.com. Not every choral group of seniors is good enough for an international competition. I urge you to support this talented and hard working local group. You’ll have a really good time doing so. Tickets sell fast.

April 8 begins a one week showing of art by Rickie Granna and Patricia McCandless. The show will take place at Accent Gallery, wrapping up on April 15. The address is Carretera Pte (West) #252, Plaza La Huerta. The two artists offer divergent types of art – paintings by Rickie and unique paper constructions by Patricia. Rickie is an oil painter who has exhibited in Ajijic since he won a third prize when he was 12. He will be exhibiting a number of paintings both on the grand scale and others more moderately sized. His imaginative subjects include a wonderful, full-sized “Water Woman.” Patricia’s work is with cut and overlapping papers – “only layers of exquisite paper” is how she describes her work. She has occasionally shown her working techniques here in Ajijic. See you there.

April 10, starting at 1 p.m., the Lakeside Spay & Neuter Ranch and Adoption Center is having an Open House. There will be frankfurters, chips, beer and soda. Everyone will be able to visit with the dogs. This is also an opportunity to see the improvements that have been made at the ranch and the good work the donations are accomplishing. Signs will be posted along the Chapala-Guadalajara highway and on the streets to guide guests to the ranch. It should be a great day in the country.

 


A dog hoping for adoption at the Ranch

April 10, 2 – 4 p.m. at Estrellita’s B&B, located at 16 Septiembre #18, next to the Lake Chapala Society, Judy Dykstra-Brown will launch her newly published book, Prairie Moths, a collection of poetic prose recollections of her life as the daughter of a South Dakota farmer. The beauty of the prairies is drawn in words that create pictures in the reader’s mind. It is the kind of book you can read over and over. Judy is also a retablo artist. She will show her all-new found-object wall sculptures and jewelry.

April 24 Abbeyfield offers their 5th Annual Easter Brunch. It will be held at Casas Cariñosas Privada, Independencia #9. Abbeyfield is on the lake between Pedro Moreno and 5 de Mayo in Ajijic. For more information, contact Brian Howard at 766 – 2794 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 


Daily Savings Time in Mexico begins April 3 – Spring Ahead!

 Multiple Events:

#10 – The American Legion post #7 schedule for April:

Sundays.......12 – 3 p.m. Legion grill burgers         

Apr  1............8 – 1 p.m. – Yard Sale

Apr  3........... Daylight Savings – Spring Ahead!

Apr  6............9 – 9:45 a.m. – US Consulate Services (late? go to LCS)

Apr  7............3 p.m. Maple Leaf Club – calling all Canadians

Apr 14...........5 p.m. Hasta La Pasta (Aux. event, cocktails at 4)

Apr 20...........10 a.m. – Take-a-Bake Sale

Apr 28...........3 p.m. – Lone Star Club (Country-Western music)

Apr 29...........5 p.m. – Steak Olé (cocktails at 4)

For information, call 765 – 2259 or www.americanlegionchapalapost7.org

 

Lakeside Little Theatre news:

At the LLT Annual General Meeting on March 16, the following Board Members were elected for the next two years:

1st Vice President: Emma Bergh-Apton, acclaimation

2nd Vice President: Garry Peerless

Treasurer: Kevin O’Byrne

Plays & Directors for Season 47, 2011 – 2012:

1.  The Kitchen Witches by Caroline smith, directed by Roger Treadway, running October 1- 9, 2011.

2.  Clue? – The Stage Play adapted for the stage by Anne O’Neemuss from Jonathan Lynn’s screenplay, directed by Roseann Wilshere, appearing from November 5 – 13, 2011.

3.  Greetings! By Tom Dudzick, directed by Peggy Lord Chilton, showing December 10 – 18, 2011.

4.  How the Other Half Loves by Alan Ayckbourne, directed by Dave McIntosh, January 14 – 22, 2012.

5.  Chicago by Kander, Ebb & Fosse, directed by Barbara Clippinger, choreographed by Alexis Hoff, running from February 25 – March 6.

6.  Sex Please, We’re Sixty by Michael & Susan Parker, directed by Larry King, running April 7 – 15, 2012.

LLT season ticket renewals & new ticket sales for Season 47 are $1,000 pesos per person for reserved seats for six plays from September 2011 – April 2012, including LLT membership at no extra charge.  Individual tickets will be $200 pesos for regular shows, $250 for the musical. Payment is preferred by cheques (checks) drawn on a Mexican bank. Season ticket holders who DO NOT WISH TO RENEW, please notify Paula McTavish at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 766 – 0954 (leave message) as soon as possible.

LLT invites all members who volunteered in any capacity during the 2010 – 2011 season to the annual Applause Party on April 16, 5 – 7 p.m. at the Theatre. The Board of Directors would like to extend a most sincere “Thank you” to all the volunteers, members and patrons for making Season 46 such a success.

The sixth and final show of Season 46 at the Lakeside Little Theatre is Larry Shue’s The Foreigner. Larry King directs this very funny Southern story about painfully shy (and unspeaking) Charlie and the local heroes and villains who reveal themselves, never knowing that Charlie is silently hanging on every word. Performances run from April 2 – 10, 2011.


The Foreigner

 If you would like to volunteer behind the scenes, the LLT is always looking for people to train in lighting, sound, wardrobe, props, make-up, stage managing and other positions. Contact Don Chaloner at 766 – 1975 or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

April 8, 6 p.m., at Terranova’s Panoramic Terrace, Rio Lerma 19, Rancho del Oro, Love in Action & Villa Infantil will be the benefactors of a “60s Forever” Dinner Dance sponsored by Terranova Institute.

Tickets, at $260 pesos, are available at Dermika, Galeria Di Paola on Colon, Hacienda Ajijic on the carretera in West Ajijic and Absolute Fenix Realty in San Antonio at the traffic light by Tony’s and Super Lake. The music has to be great fun.

Library volunteers are desperately needed at Love in Action. Without help,  they will have to close the library permanently. The work involves about three hours a week from 10 a.m. to 12:30. The kids are well behaved and many speak English. Please contact Sue Kelley at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 

MAS Musica’s schedule for the 2011 – 2012 season upcoming:

Oct  18 – Blas Galindo Orchestra featuring Rodrigo’s “Concerto Andaluz”

Nov 15 – Ballet Classical and Neoclassical of Jalisco

Dec 18 – Children’s Choir of Moralia

Jan  19 – San Luis Obispo Philharmonic Orchestra

Feb 14 – “Classical FX” Washington DC Opera Company Quartet

All performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at the Auditorio, La Floresta.

At the final MAS Musica concert of this season, Beverly Denton was recognized for her five years of service as President of MAS.

 


Bev Denton with Bob Milne, ragtime pianist

 

VIVA! LA MUSICA Bus trips to the ‘Live from the Met’ Opera series at Teatro Diana:

 

Apr   9 – Le Comte Ory (Rossini) at noon, bus leaves at 10:30 a.m.

Apr  23 – Capriccio (R. Strauss) at noon, bus leaves at 10:30 a.m.

Apr  30 – Il Trovatore (Verdi) at noon, bus leaves at 10:30 a.m.

May 14 – Die Walkure (Wagner) at 11 a.m., bus leaves at 9:30 a.m.

Contact Marshall Krantz at 766 – 2834. Tickets cost $300 pesos for members, $350 pesos for non-members.


Opera poster – Le Comte Ory

 

Past Lakeside Living
Pin It
 Find us on Facebook