Lifetime achievements honoured
Cobequid Arts Council recognizes two individuals, music group for contributions
Two individuals and a music group were recognized during a recent inaugural Lifetime Achievement Awards ceremony.
The Cobequid Arts Council hosted the ceremony at the Marigold Cultural Centre and honoured Charlotte MacQuarrie, Audrey Hanrahan (posthumously), and The Lincolns.
“It was a wonderful evening and we were pleased to be there with Charlotte MacQuarrie and the late Mrs. Hanrahan,” said Frank MacKay, who founded The Lincolns in 1961.
“It was such a nice affair and it was a real treat for the inaugural ceremony, they went back and honoured the band.”
Jim Stanley introduced MacQuarrie and told the crowd he’s known her since 1981.
“Charlotte has always put her heart and soul into every endeavour or undertaking with which she’s been involved,” he said. “She is a giving and thoughtful supporter of many worthwhile causes, and for that our community is the better and owes her a debt of gratitude.”
When the arts council formed in 1978, MacQuarrie was its first president. From its beginning, the council organized programs until the Marigold opened upon the closure of the Empire Theatre.
“Charlotte has been a patron and driving force with both the council and the Marigold Cultural Centre,” said Stanley.
When The Lincolns first formed, they performed below the IGA on Prince Street until MacKay moved away in early 1964. He returned in the fall of 1965 and the band formed again, this time bringing their music to the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 26.
One of MacKay’s favourite memories is heading to perform in Saint John, N.B., around 1966, to open for Little Anthony and the Imperials.
“Little did we know the headliners weren’t there until the next night,” he said. “When we played, the place was packed and everyone had a wonderful time. It showed us that we were indeed really popular at this time.”
When it comes to Hanrahan, she played a huge role in the local arts community before she passed away in May 2012.
She was one of the founding members of the Truro Art Society in 1969, and a commercial art teacher at the Vocational School. She continued painting and hosting workshops after retirement, and was the curator at the Marigold’s art gallery. She also organized the society’s Art in Bloom contest and was a co-founder of the Attic Painters.
“It was so wonderful,” said Anne Perigo, Hanrahan’s daughter who was at the gathering. “We were all feeling proud of her. The Marigold was something our mother attempted to create years before it became reality.
“The arts community was her first love, for sure. She was a mentor to many of her students who were with her for 25 years and she loved teaching in the commercial art program.”