Deka's well-known baritone, 29-year-old Aaron Durand, recently starred as Sid in Benjamin Britten's Albert Herring, with the Vancouver Opera.
Britten was born in England in 1913 – making this year his 100th – and his first opera, Peter Grimes, in 1945, made him an internationally recognized composer.
Aaron's mother, Shelly, and grandmother, Audrey Smith, were honoured to attend his Sid performance on opening night, Nov. 30.
All of Aaron's early musical training was acquired in 100 Mile House, and he is only one of three or four young adults of roughly the same age who are actually singing opera for a living, which is a huge "feather in 100 Mile's cap."
At Christmas 2011, Aaron was thrilled to learn that he had won the Yulanda M. Farris Young Artist award, which entitled him to a one-year contract, beginning September 2012, with Vancouver Opera.
Aaron must have delighted both the company and his audiences as his contract has been extended.
He appeared in Tosca earlier this year, and, in February, will play Masetto in Don Giovanni; and will also solo in Beethoven's Symphony 119 with Kelowna Symphony.
During December, he is soloing with Victoria Symphony in Handel's Messiah; and also with Vancouver Symphony on Dec. 14.
All Interlakes residents are delighted with Aaron's success, and wish him much more in the years to come.
Cougar Alert
Residents, especially around the Mahood Lake Road intersection should be aware that we have a "big cat," a cougar moving around, so pets need to be protected.
Pets should also be kept off the ice, which is not strong enough to hold them.
Sad passing
Condolences are extended to the King family on the loss of Pledge's twin brother, Mike King, on Dec. 1.
Mike had been sick for quite a while, but had often played with the Bridge Lake Duplicate Bridge Club.
Celebrations
Special birthday wishes go to Maria Watt on her 85th on Dec. 20; and Russell Ross on his 84th on Dec. 23.
Birthday bubbly also goes to Denise Waldner, Andy Nixdorf and Kris Verheul; and 14 big balloons wing their way to Piper Loft for Dec. 20.
Calendar
Call the writer for contact numbers.
• Bridge Lake Schools' annual Christmas Dinner Concert is tonight (Dec. 18). Adults pay $10, elementary-aged children eat for free. Dinner is at 5:30 p.m., and the concert begins at 7. Bring a non-perishable food item for Interlakes Christmas Giftboxes.