Wheatley Idol:Media

Raise-a-Reader Windsor Canada.com
The Canwest Raise-a-Reader campaign is an award-winning national fundraising initiative of the Canwest Global Foundation. It is a unique philanthropic program that increases awareness and raises money and other resources in support of family literacy programs throughout Canada.
RAISE-A-READER EVENTS
Fundraising activities are held throughout the year culminating on September 24, 2008 with the campaign’s flagship event, Raise-a-Reader Day. The Windsor Star Raise-a-Reader program initiates and supports several family-focused programs to maintain awareness and raise funds for children’s literacy. RAR was promoted at Wheatley Optimist Club - Wheatley Idol Talent Competition and other events in 2008.

The fifth annual Wheatley Idol competition, sponsored by the Wheatley Optimist Club, was held on Sunday, August 3 and there was a terrific turnout of 340 people to watch a variety of talented performers. Event organizers have submitted the following information and attached photos. Thanks for thinking of cktimes......

Master of Ceremonies Dustyn Janzen, Country 92.7 CJSP, Afternoon Drive Host says, "The popularity of the Wheatley Idol event has grown since it began five years ago, and continues to grow. This is my fourth year as the MC and I enjoy coming back every year. It’s great to see all the amazing talent & great support we receive from everyone involved to make this event such a success.”

“The Wheatley Idol is a MUST SEE for upcoming local talent,” says Dale Butler, singer, songwriter, sound technician.

Celebrity Judge Crystal Gage, Recording Artist, Singer/Songwriter says, "I was honoured to get asked to be a judge for Wheatley Idol and was blown away by how much young local talent we have. This is truly a great contest and offers an amazing opportunity for someone to lay the ground floor for a career in music and I was so happy to be a part of it. Congrats to all the contestants for putting on a great show!"

"Online registration filled up four weeks early!” said organizer Darla Janzen. “We had room for 40 contestants to take to the outdoor stage vying for the ultimate recording package prize as well as cash & cool gift prizes.” There was no entry fee for the contestants. All the participants received a Participants Award Certificate.

Wheatley Idol overall winner was James Staley, 18, of Cottam. James received the star-studded grand prize sponsored by Professional Studios & more. “This is the most exciting winner’s package we have had to date. Not only will James be able to record a demo, he will also star in his own music video. It is a complete idol package. He will also receive a custom designed CD & DVD jacket for the recordings, to include the photo shoot favored picture for the covers, which Staley will be wearing clothing, accessories, and hair makeover also provided by sponsors,” says Janzen. Winner in addition received cash & other gifts. Prize value of $2,100

The thirteen winners in the four age categories received Cash Prizes, Gift Certificates & Prizes, and Award Plaques, including invitations for the four 1st place winners from Nicole Barron, Leamington Idol organizer, to be a special guest performer at Leamington Idol Competition on Saturday, August 16 at this year’s Leamington Tomato Festival. “This is the third year Wheatley Idol has worked with the Leamington Idol committee. “It is a great opportunity for both parties as it gives the winners another chance to show case their talents and it brings both communities together for a very special event. We have also extended invitations for the four 1st place 2008 Tomato Idol winners and will look forward to having them perform at 2009 Wheatley Idol as guest vocalists,” says Janzen.

Mark your calendars for the sixth Annual Wheatley Idol Talent Competition civic holiday weekend in 2009 and watch for early pre-registration to avoid disappointment, as registration is limited. Wheatley Idol website is www.jimaging.net/wheatleyidol. The Wheatley District Optimist Club, presenter of the Wheatley Idol Talent Competition to the youth, thanks this year Sponsors, Partners & Volunteers who helped make 2008 Wheatley Idol possible for all. Wheatley Idol is in conjunction with the annual Wheatley Fish Festival.

Event Volunteers & Additional Info
Celebrity MC Dustyn Janzen, Country 92.7 CJSP, Afternoon Drive Host
Official helpers, Jr MC’s Heidi Janzen (age 5), Alyssa (age 7), & Kelsey Schmitt (age 5)
Celebrity Judges were Nicole Barron, Recording Artist, Singer/Songwriter, Crystal Gage Recording Artist, Singer/Songwriter, Cordell Green, Country Morning 92.7 CJSP radio host, and Guest Judge Jen Knight, 2007 Wheatley Idol Overall Winner.
Special performances from Jen Knight, Crystal Gage & Guest vocalist 2007 Tomato Idol winner Kaitlyn Clifford, who was also one of this years Wheatley Idol winners.

Disco party helping to raise the roof - The Chatham Daily News excerpt August, 2008
By ELLWOOD SHREVE http://www.chathamdailynews.ca

Cordell Green’s Blog - CJSP 92.7 Morning Show Page excerpt AUG 4, 08 www.country927.com

What a treat it is every year to see such a wide range of talent hit the stage at the beautiful Two Creeks Conservation Area. Darla, David and all the volunteers do an incredible job every year of making this a first class event and one that we should all be very honoured to have in our area! It isn't just a talent show; its a celebration of music. Judging this kind of talent is never easy and I say that on behalf of the other judges as well, including Crystal Gage, Jen Knight and Nicole Barron! Our congratulations to our 1st place finishers: Summer Ellis (who you may recall from having been on the morning show), Hope Forman (who did a great rendition of one of her favourite stage songs), Alyssa Sestric and a contestant who came out of nowhere who ended up not only winning the 18 and over age group but was the overall winner- James Staley! And congratulations to ALL our performers for simply getting up in front of a big crowd and putting their talent out there for all to enjoy!

Now you can join the (unofficial) CJSP page on Facebook and listen to interviews with Michelle Wright, Crystal Shawanda, Aaron Lines, Gordie Howe, Hollywood Stuntman Mike Dochterman, Crystal Gage and more! CLICK HERE!

Busy weekend at Wheatley fish fest - Leamington Post Wednesday, July 30, 2008
http://www.leamingtonpostandshopper.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?archive=true&e=1135077

The Wheatley community will celebrate its heritage on Aug. 1-3 with the annual fish festival.

Many events are planned for the weekend including a parade Saturday morning at 11 a.m. from the Wheatley area, the continuation of the Big Boyz fishing derby, which started the weekend prior, and the Wheatley Idol contest on Sunday at Two Creeks. The weekend will start Friday with a three-pitch mixed baseball tournament followed with music and food at the arena. Saturday morning gets underway with a breakfast served by the Wheatley Scouts at the legion at 8 a.m. and also at starting at 8 a.m. will be a giant yard sale and barbecue at the Friendship club.

The Ladies Auxiliary will hold a bake sale at the legion at 9 a.m. and Ivan Coulter Park will be occupied many animals at 9:30 a.m. for the pet parade.

The festival parade down Erie St. at 11 a.m. will included many floats, bands, residents and more. They will meet and get information at the arena at 10 a.m. "This year there will be three marching bands," said to Sue Adamson, parade coordinator. Jack's Coffee Shop Ketchup Cruisers will be on display at the recreation complex from 1-3:30 p.m.

New to the festival this year are several contests to demonstrate fishing skills. Starting at 1 p.m., there will be a contest for fish-filleting, then net stringing and smoked fish. The day will finish with Wheatley's famous all-you-can-eat yellow perch and broasted chicken dinner from 5-8 p.m. at the arena followed by a dance with the Derek Brown's band from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. On Sunday the scouts will again start the day with breakfast at 8 a.m. at the legion. and the Big Boyz fishing derby will continue with presentations and closing ceremonies at the area from 1 to 6 p.m. There will be music by Scott Holland. Also at 1 p.m. will be a tug of war contest and at 2 p.m. a fish filleting contest at the arena. Entry forms are available at Wheatley businesses. A yellow perch luncheon will be held at the arena from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. supported by the Ontario Commercial Fisheries Association. Tickets are $10 with a total of 300 for sale. Proceeds will go back to fund future fish festivals.

At 1 p.m. Two Creeks Conservation area will be full of music with the largely anticipated Wheatley Idol competition will get underway at 1 p.m., presented by the Wheatley Optimist Club. According to Darla Janzen, organizer, they have "40 registered" contestants. "It is a fantastic year for the Idol, in pre-registrations," she said. "We encourage people to come out and watch the show." This year's guest judges include: recording artists, singer/songwriters: Nicole Barron and Crystal Gage; Country 92.7 CJSP Morning Radio Host, Cordell Green; and 2007 Wheatley Idol overall winner Jen Knight. Ending the festival at 6:30 p.m. will be an outdoor concert.

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Wheatley Journal    London Free Press   CK Times
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Talent abounds at Idol competition - Wheatley Journal    Wednesday, August 15, 2007

The Wheatley Idol Talent Competition featured the maximum number of 40 performers allowed to enter. Generous cash prizes and numerous gifts were presented to the 13 winners selected in various age groups. Victoria Pippo of Leamington is pictured above singing her way to a third place win in her division. The popularity of the event has grown since it began four years ago and unfortunately several late entries could not be accommodated.

13 winners receive outstanding prizes

Despite the pouring rain, the 4th annual Wheatley Idol Talent Competition, presented by the Wheatley District Optimist Club, went ahead without a hitch at Two Creeks Conservation Area on August 5. The event, which was to be held at the outdoor amphitheatre, was moved to the pavilion to provide shelter for everyone, keeping him or her dry and out of the rain. There was no entry fee for contestants or spectators. It was free to the public to come out and enjoy an afternoon of fun and entertainment as part of the Wheatley Fish Festival that wrapped up on Sunday. All they needed to bring was their lawn chairs and Idol cheers!

The Wheatley Idol contest had about 275 people watching the competitors and the 1st Wheatley Scouts did a terrific job providing food and drinks for sale all afternoon to the crowd. Registration was closed at the door due to overwhelming response of online pre-registration. “New this year was a Sponsored website provided and web-mastered by a local area business ‘J Imaging’. The Wheatley Idol website, which provided information and online pre-registration, was key to reaching our maximum for this year’s registration. We also had great coverage from the media and other sources promoting the pre-registration,” said organizer Darla Janzen. “Once we reached our maximum of 40 contestants, the online registration was removed and notice was posted on the website that registration was full. We had a few disappointed people who wanted to register at the door.”

This year’s celebrity judges were Nicole Barron, recording artist, singer/songwriter; Cordell Green, 96.7 CHYR FM morning radio host; and Mike Thibodeau, Leamington Post newspaper editor.“We had some great competitors this year. It was exciting to see the amount of talent that comes from our area. We found it especially difficult choosing our winners because there were several worthy contestants. We look forward to seeing them at future competitions,” said judge Nicole Barron.

This year’s Wheatley Idol overall winner was Jen Knight, 22, of Kingsville. Jen received the grand prize of four hours of recording time at a professional studio and other fantastic prizes. “This gives the winner a great opportunity to record a real demo!” says Janzen. We would love to hear back one day that we were able to help the overall winner realize his or her dream as a recording artist or singer/songwriter.” All the participants received a participants award certificate. The thirteen winners in the four age categories received cash prizes, gift certificates and prizes, and award plaques. The sponsored winners’ prizes this year totaled around $1500. All four first-place winners also received an invitation from Nicole Barron, Leamington Idol organizer, to be a special guest performer at Leamington Idol on Saturday, August 18 inside the Kinsmen tent at this year’s Leamington Tomato Festival. This is the second year Wheatley Idol has worked with the Leamington Idol committee. “It is a great opportunity for both parties as it gives the winners another chance to showcase their talents and it brings both communities together for a very special event. We have also extended invitations for the four first-place 2007 Tomato Idol winners and will look forward to having them perform at 2008 Wheatley Idol as our celebrity guest performers.”

Master of Ceremonies, CHYR radio host Dustyn Janzen had help by the junior masters of ceremonies with winner prizes, door prize draws and circulation of Wheatley Idol pamphlets. The official helpers were 4-year-old Heidi Janzen, 4-year-old Kelsey Schmitt and 6-year-old Alyssa Schmitt. A total of 34 sponsored door prize packages were drawn during the judges’ deliberation of each age category. Door prizes were valued at around $1500. “We had an overwhelming response from sponsors and volunteers again this year for Wheatley Idol and appreciate the generosity and time committed by all those who helped make this event a success”, says Darla. “If we did not have their support we would not have the success we have had, and we hope to continue to grow each year as we have been.”

Mark your calendars for the 5th annual Wheatley Idol Talent Competition on the civic holiday weekend in 2008. Watch for early pre-registration to avoid disappointment, as registration is limited. Wheatley Idol website is www.jimaging.net/wheatleyidol. The Wheatley District Optimist Club, presenter of the Wheatley Idol Talent Competition to the youth, thanks this year sponsors, partners and volunteers who helped make 2007 Wheatley Idol such a success.

WINNERS OF 2007 WHEATLEY IDOL - Jen Knight wins Wheatley Idol

Ages 6 to 9 - 1st Hope Forman (age 9), Leamington; 2nd Summer Ellis (age 5), Essex; 3rd Elle Klassen (age 7), Wheatley. Ages 10 to 12 - 1st R.J. Latter (age 11), London; 2nd Lexy Wilson (age 12), Harrow; 3rd Victoria Pippo (age 12), Leamington. Ages 13 to 16 - 1st Jennifer Gould (age 14), Belle River; 2nd Sam Dick (age 15), Leamington; 3rd Alannah Bedell (age 15), Charing Cross. Ages 17 & Up - 1st Jen Knight (age 22), Kingsville; 2nd Paige Frankfurth (age 18), Kingsville; 3rd Breanne Hayes (age 21), Windsor. Overall Winner - Jen Knight (age 22), Kingsville.

London boy, 11, wins Wheatley Idol contest - London Free Press   Sat., August 11th, 2007
by VERA OVANIN, SUN MEDIA   http://lfpress.ca

R. J. Latter took first with his I'm From the Country rendition

You don't have to be on TV to be an idol -- sometimes all it takes is to get the crowds moving. And that’s exactly what 11-year-old R.J. Latter of London did when he won the Wheatley Idol competition. Latter took home first place in the 10- to 12-year-old age category in the Chatham-Kent community’s fourth annual talent show last Sunday. The song that did it for him was his rendition of I’m From the Country, by Texan country artist Tracy Byrd.“I was singing, ‘Come on you cowboys and you cowgirls and clap your hands,’ and everyone (in the audience) was clapping,” the young idol said. He won $50 in cash, a plaque and prizes sponsored by local businesses for his performance. The competition went ahead without a hitch, despite heavy rain. Nearly 300 people showed up at the event at the public pavilion. “I had a lot of stage presence, said R.J., whose grandfather was a crooner in Northern Ireland. “Going on (stage) I was nervous at first, but once I started singing I started doing a lot of dance moves and the other kids weren’t moving like that.”R.J. plans to head to Nashville, guitar in hand, when he turns 18. He hopes to follow in the footsteps of his idols, Patsy Cline and Toby Keith. R.J. also sang at this summer’s London Rib-Fest at Victoria Park. He also has appeared at charitable events.

CK Times - Courtesy of John Gardiner- Editor    Wed., August 8th, 2007    http://www.cktimes.ca

Wheatley Idol part of big Fish Fest weekend!

The Wheatley Idol competition, held Sunday at Two Creeks Conservation Area, is an extremely popular part of Fish Fest weekend in the Lake Erie community and this year, with 40 contestants, was no exception. The Wheatley Idol is coordinated by Darla Janzen, but is sponsored by the Wheatley Optimist Club. President Larry McDonald was checking things out early before heading over for the finale of the big Fishing Derby held over the special weekend. Larry said about 500 fishermen took part in this year's Derby. Over 300 sat down to the famous perch and roasted chicken dinner and there was something going on for every member of the family. cktimes' photographer John Gardiner dropped by the Idol competition and snapped these photos of some cute and talented kids.

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