Twisting Terry Newcombe, Barry’s Bay’s popular balloon artist, has trained some balloon artists to take over as he retires after 20 years of delighting kids and adults by twisting balloons. The Current crashed a recent training session to see how his new proteges were coming along. We arrived just as Newcombe was explaining the many variations that can be made from three braided balloons – including some incredible hats. Above: Mary-Lou Wills (left), Terry Newcombe, Sarah Wright, Colleen Lapello show off their balloon creations.
Trainee balloon artists Wills and Lapello said that Wright was getting a lot more practice than they were because she uses her homework assignments to entertain her children, Avery and Ainsley. Wills models a fascinator (inset) made by Wright as last week’s homework.
Wright has lived in the Valley for some time, having come here to work at Madawaska Kanu Centre, and then for several years at MAD Outdoors while she and her husband, Neil, established the Madawaska Coffee Co. Wills, her mother, moved to the Madawaska Valley only a few years ago but since their arrival she and her husband, Joe, have been very involved with volunteer organizations such as the Opeongo Snowbirds Snowmobile Club. Lapello presently lives in Frankford, Belleville but eagerly anticipates a move to the Valley next year. She and her husband have already begun building their new home in Palmer Rapids. Each of these women hopes to use her newly acquired skills to volunteer in the community.
All three budding balloon artists said they were impressed with how many techniques they had learned in just three lessons so far. Newcombe said they aim to cover at least 20 in each session, but with so many possible variations it is difficult to give an exact count.
First gig for trainees at George Vanier Catholic School 50th anniversary
The three balloon art trainees were excited to announce that their first volunteer event will be at George Vanier Catholic School’s 50th Anniversary Celebration this Saturday, October 19. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 2782 Dafoe Road. Combermere. They will show off their twisting creativity (and their beaming smiles) to delight many youngsters. As mentioned in The Current’s Bite-sized News recently, the school’s anniversary celebrations will also feature the re-opening of a 1969 Time Capsule, along with face painting, games, a vendor market, a raffle for a Hunter’s Backpack worth more than $400, lots of other raffle prizes, a petting zoo, music and much more. Everyone is welcome, and past staff and alumni are encouraged to attend.