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Listowel, Ontario: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 43°43′55″N 80°57′12″W / 43.73194°N 80.95333°W / 43.73194; -80.95333
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Listowel is named after the town of [[Listowel]], [[Ireland]]. The majority of early settlers were of Protestant Irish origin (Ulster Scots Planters, or English Planters).
Listowel is named after the town of [[Listowel]], [[Ireland]]. The majority of early settlers were of Protestant Irish origin (Ulster Scots Planters, or English Planters).


==History==
The [[Campbell Soup Company]] was a major local employer for 48 years, operating a frozen, foodservice and specialty food plant in Listowel. This relationship ended abruptly with the announcement of the factory's pending closure on April 28, 2008.<ref>[http://www.thestar.com/printArticle/419242 "Campbell's plant to close, throwing 400 out of work"]</ref> The surrounding area is mostly agricultural land located on the Perth Plain, dominated by the beef and pork industries.
On February 28, 1959, the Listowel Memorial Arena collapsed, burying a boys' hockey team playing a scrimmage game - the worst tragedy in the town's history. Seven young players, along with a referee and recreation director, were all killed in the tragic collapse.


==Culture==
The region is home to many talented visual artists who are showcased annually as part of the region's Studio Tour. Theatre 311 is a very reputable venue for live theatre, drawing on local talent and actors from surrounding cities.<ref>[http://www.theatre311.com Theatre Three-Eleven] Home-page of local theater</ref> Listowel is also represented in the film industry by Dura Mater Productions <ref>[http://www.imdb.com/company/co0147504 Dura Mater Productions]</ref>, an independent film company that has received recognition by film festivals throughout North America and Europe <ref>[http://www.c-base.org/mailinglists/c-info/2005/Feb-2005/msg00004.html]</ref>.The Bookery is located across the street from Theatre 311. This Celtic-inspired book store stocks over 25,000 books and traditional Celtic, Irish and Scottish jewellery in silver. In addition, they provide gallery space for local artists to display their work.<ref>[http://www.ontariobusinessguide.com/listings/bookery.html The Bookery]</ref>. The town of Listowel has also raised its fair share of talented musicians from many genres, such as Thirteen O'Clock <ref>[http://www.supernova.com/ThirteenOclock Thirteen O''Clock]</ref>, Krymera <ref>[http://www.myspace.com/krymeraband]</ref>, Brian Vollmer (lead singer of Helix) <ref>[http://www.planethelix.com/MainMenu.htm The Official Site of Helix]</ref>, Ian Laing <ref>[http://radio3.cbc.ca/bands/IAN-LAING Ian Laing]</ref>, The Bender singers <ref>[http://www.lpch.ca/events.cfm?view=day&EventID=106]</ref>, and Chachi On Acid <ref>[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1848459]</ref>.
The region is home to many talented visual artists who are showcased annually as part of the region's Studio Tour. Theatre 311 is a very reputable venue for live theatre, drawing on local talent and actors from surrounding cities.<ref>[http://www.theatre311.com Theatre Three-Eleven] Home-page of local theater</ref> Listowel is also represented in the film industry by Dura Mater Productions <ref>[http://www.imdb.com/company/co0147504 Dura Mater Productions]</ref>, an independent film company that has received recognition by film festivals throughout North America and Europe <ref>[http://www.c-base.org/mailinglists/c-info/2005/Feb-2005/msg00004.html]</ref>.The Bookery is located across the street from Theatre 311. This Celtic-inspired book store stocks over 25,000 books and traditional Celtic, Irish and Scottish jewellery in silver. In addition, they provide gallery space for local artists to display their work.<ref>[http://www.ontariobusinessguide.com/listings/bookery.html The Bookery]</ref>. The town of Listowel has also raised its fair share of talented musicians from many genres, such as Thirteen O'Clock <ref>[http://www.supernova.com/ThirteenOclock Thirteen O''Clock]</ref>, Krymera <ref>[http://www.myspace.com/krymeraband]</ref>, Brian Vollmer (lead singer of Helix) <ref>[http://www.planethelix.com/MainMenu.htm The Official Site of Helix]</ref>, Ian Laing <ref>[http://radio3.cbc.ca/bands/IAN-LAING Ian Laing]</ref>, The Bender singers <ref>[http://www.lpch.ca/events.cfm?view=day&EventID=106]</ref>, and Chachi On Acid <ref>[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1848459]</ref>.


===Paddyfest===
On February 28, 1959, the Listowel Memorial Arena collapsed, burying a boys' hockey team playing a scrimmage game - the worst tragedy in the town's history. Seven young players, along with a referee and recreation director, were all killed in the tragic collapse.
Listowel has a large Irish festival, called Paddyfest, which is held over the two weeks surrounding St. Patrick's Day. The festival was first started in 1977 from an idea put forth by Dave Murtha to honour the large numbers of persons of Irish ancestry present in the Listowel area and is largely maintained by the Kinsmen and Kinette clubs of Listowel.


The official spokesperson for Paddyfest is chosen yearly in the Paddyfest Ambassador Competition. Contestants must perform a speech, impromptu question and interview with the judges and receive the overall highest score to be awarded this position. A separate award of Talent is given out to the contestant with the highest score in the talent competition. Runner-up and Congeniality are also awards which are available. Although the Paddyfest Ambassador Competition changed its name and official status from being Miss Paddyfest when first created, a male has yet to win the title.
Listowel has a large Irish festival, called Paddyfest, which is held over the two weeks surrounding St. Patrick's Day.

This festival was first started in 1977 from an idea put forth by Dave Murtha to honour the large numbers of persons of Irish ancestry present in the Listowel area.
==Economy==
Paddyfest is maintained by the Kinsmen and Kinette clubs of Listowel.
The [[Campbell Soup Company]] was a major local employer for 48 years, operating a frozen, foodservice and specialty food plant in Listowel. This relationship ended abruptly with the announcement of the factory's pending closure on April 28, 2008.<ref>[http://www.thestar.com/printArticle/419242 "Campbell's plant to close, throwing 400 out of work"]</ref> The surrounding area is mostly agricultural land located on the Perth Plain, dominated by the beef and pork industries.
The official spokesperson for Paddyfest is chosen yearly in the Paddyfest Ambassador Competition. Contestants must perform a speech, impromptu question and interview with the judges and receive the overall highest score to be awarded this position. A separate award of Talent is given out to the contestant with the highest score in the talent competition. Runner-up and Congeniality are also awards which are available.
Although the Paddyfest Ambassador Competition changed its name and official status from being Miss Paddyfest when first created, a male has yet to win the title.


==Notable citizens==
==Notable citizens==

Revision as of 04:13, 12 August 2009

Listowel
Unincorporated community
CountryCanada
ProvinceOntario
CountyPerth
TownshipNorth Perth
Settled1902
Incorporated (town)1998
Government
 • TypeMunicipalitly of North Perth
Elevation
382 m (1,253 ft)
Population
 (2006)
 • Total12,500
Time zoneUTC-5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
Area code519

Listowel is an unincorporated community in Ontario, Canada located in the municipality of North Perth. It was created in 1998 during the amalgamation of several other communities in the northern section of Perth County, and dissolved with the creation of North Perth. Its population was 5,905 at the Canada 2001 Census.[1]

Listowel is named after the town of Listowel, Ireland. The majority of early settlers were of Protestant Irish origin (Ulster Scots Planters, or English Planters).

History

On February 28, 1959, the Listowel Memorial Arena collapsed, burying a boys' hockey team playing a scrimmage game - the worst tragedy in the town's history. Seven young players, along with a referee and recreation director, were all killed in the tragic collapse.

Culture

The region is home to many talented visual artists who are showcased annually as part of the region's Studio Tour. Theatre 311 is a very reputable venue for live theatre, drawing on local talent and actors from surrounding cities.[2] Listowel is also represented in the film industry by Dura Mater Productions [3], an independent film company that has received recognition by film festivals throughout North America and Europe [4].The Bookery is located across the street from Theatre 311. This Celtic-inspired book store stocks over 25,000 books and traditional Celtic, Irish and Scottish jewellery in silver. In addition, they provide gallery space for local artists to display their work.[5]. The town of Listowel has also raised its fair share of talented musicians from many genres, such as Thirteen O'Clock [6], Krymera [7], Brian Vollmer (lead singer of Helix) [8], Ian Laing [9], The Bender singers [10], and Chachi On Acid [11].

Paddyfest

Listowel has a large Irish festival, called Paddyfest, which is held over the two weeks surrounding St. Patrick's Day. The festival was first started in 1977 from an idea put forth by Dave Murtha to honour the large numbers of persons of Irish ancestry present in the Listowel area and is largely maintained by the Kinsmen and Kinette clubs of Listowel.

The official spokesperson for Paddyfest is chosen yearly in the Paddyfest Ambassador Competition. Contestants must perform a speech, impromptu question and interview with the judges and receive the overall highest score to be awarded this position. A separate award of Talent is given out to the contestant with the highest score in the talent competition. Runner-up and Congeniality are also awards which are available. Although the Paddyfest Ambassador Competition changed its name and official status from being Miss Paddyfest when first created, a male has yet to win the title.

Economy

The Campbell Soup Company was a major local employer for 48 years, operating a frozen, foodservice and specialty food plant in Listowel. This relationship ended abruptly with the announcement of the factory's pending closure on April 28, 2008.[12] The surrounding area is mostly agricultural land located on the Perth Plain, dominated by the beef and pork industries.

Notable citizens

Related places

Listowel, Co. Kerry, Ireland

References

  1. ^ "Listowel, Ontario (Town/Dissolved)". Statistics Canada. Retrieved 2008-06-20.
  2. ^ Theatre Three-Eleven Home-page of local theater
  3. ^ Dura Mater Productions
  4. ^ [1]
  5. ^ The Bookery
  6. ^ Thirteen OClock
  7. ^ [2]
  8. ^ The Official Site of Helix
  9. ^ Ian Laing
  10. ^ [3]
  11. ^ [4]
  12. ^ "Campbell's plant to close, throwing 400 out of work"
  13. ^ Colin Burrowes
  14. ^ Jared Keeso
  15. ^ Chuck Tatham

External links

43°43′55″N 80°57′12″W / 43.73194°N 80.95333°W / 43.73194; -80.95333