Now on Saturday, November 14 they are bringing something different by presenting, in a cabaret setting, "A Funny Valentine", the story and music of Chet Baker told by Mike Maran, whose dramatised narration of Captain Corelli's Mandolin in 2006 is unlikely ever to be forgotten by those who were present.
Chesney Henry, "Chet", Baker was born to a musical family in Yale, Oklahoma in 1929 and became renowned as a jazz trumpeter, flugelhorn player and singer performing in the 1950s in the company of such jazz icons as Charlie Parker and Gerry Mulligan.
Now, though, it is 1961 and, voted the best jazz trumpeter in the world only five years earlier, Chet Baker is in jail in Lucca, Italy serving 16 months for drug offences. He was described at the time by Fabio Romiti, Lucca's Public Prosecutor, as "having the face of an angel and the heart of a demon: trouble comes to anyone who touches him" but Italians strolling around the town walls stop and listen to the sound of Chet's golden trumpet wafting through the prison bars.
This is a big story with both hero and heroin. Chet's the hero and the heroin's the storyteller, the one who stayed close to him for the next 28 years until the night in 1988 when Chet died in Amsterdam and he's telling it as it really happened.
Directed by Patrick Sandford and with live music on stage arranged and performed by Colin Steele on trumpet and Dave Milligan on piano and containing adult themes this is an unforgettable evening of jazz, junk and genius and one of the many appealing aspects of the show is that it is not necessary to be a jazz aficionado to enjoy it.
Suitable for older children, the performance begins at 7.30 p.m. and tickets, priced £8 and concessions £6 are available either from the Johnshaven Stores or Karelia Wright, 01561 361956. There will not be a bar but those attending may bring their own refreshments – glasses and corkscrews will be provided.

Wairds Park Committee

Wairds Park closed officially on Saturday after what has been another successful summer season. Although the variable weather was not generally conducive to use of the sports' facilities nevertheless they all did quite well. Touring lets for the caravan site were steady while all the static stances were taken up with a healthy waiting list ready to fill any vacancies. This was the first season that the site has been fully serviced and committee secretary, Allen Smith, said that the feed back on the new waste water system had been very positive. He went on to say that there had been an increased number of regular bookings for both the Community Clubroom and the floodlit sports' courts and issued a reminder that both those facilities remain available for hire throughout the winter months.
However, since Mr Smith spoke on Saturday afternoon both the courts and bowling green were flooded by the torrential rain on Sunday and on Monday morning the bowling green was still a muddy lake with only the odd bit of green carpet protruding through inches of water. The bowling green was last flooded in 2001 when water, which had been effectively dammed on the former railway line was suddenly released and found its way into the park. Although on the evidence of Monday this incursion has been very much worse the Wairds Park committee has made it known that they took steps immediately to deal with the problem of both the courts and the green.

Mearns Coastal Parish

Sunday morning's service in Johnshaven Church was conducted by locum minister, Mr Gordon Anderson who, preaching on the theme of "experiences", said that in the development of faith key moments are the foundation stones of relationships.
Earlier, Mr Anderson had intimated that the Bible study group, initiated by Mr Tom Dalziel, continues to meet at 38 Invergarry Park, St Cyrus on Monday nights between 7 and 9 p.m. and that all are welcome.
The organist was Robin Beattie.
This Sunday's Remembrance Day Service in Johnshaven Church begins at the usual time of 10 a.m. and will be followed by a wreath-laying service at the War Memorial. There will be similar services at St Cyrus Church at 11.30 a.m.

Guild

The chrysanthemum tea/coffee morning held in the Church Hall on Saturday morning raised £180 and Cancer Research benefitted by £52 from the treasure or trash tombola stall and the committee wish to thank all those who supported the event so generously.
The next meeting of the Guild will be the leisure hour in the Church Hall on Monday, November 9 at 2.30 p.m. when the speaker will be Mr John McPherson from Montrose.

Bowling Club

The Bowling Club recorded their first win in the Kincardineshire Indoor League last Tuesday when they got the better of Bervie B.C. in a very tight game by 18 shots to 16. Ann Aitken, Alan Robbie, Alan Black and Bryan Duff got off to a bad start losing 9 shots over the first five ends but recovered well to win the next seven and gain a substantial lead, 16-9. Another slump followed, though, and with one end to play they led by only one shot, 17-16. Having won the penultimate end Bervie gave up their right to the jack but the tactic did not come off and Johnshaven clinched a long awaited victory with a single.
This Tuesday's match is against Drumlithie B.C.

RNLI

The ladies of the local committee of the RNLI extend an open invitation to come along and join them at a coffee morning in the Village Hall tomorrow, Saturday between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Bric a brac, souvenirs, raffle. All welcome.

Horticultural Society

The Annual General meeting of the Horticultural Society will be held in the Village Hall on Thursday, November 12 at 7 p.m.

Community Council

The next meeting of the Community Council will be held in the Village Hall (small) on Wednesday, November 18 at 7 p.m. Items for the agenda should be in the hands of the Chair, Mr Chris Greene, Ceol-na-Mara, Back Road by Monday, November 16.

Forthcoming Events

There are a number of forthcoming events, both in the short and long term which might help organisations plan their activities over the coming months.
Saturday, November 21, Christmas Fayre in the Village Hall between 2 and 4 pm.
Sunday, November 29, Advent Carol Service in Benholm Kirk at 3 p.m. Conducted by the Rev Elizabeth Campbell, Stonehaven Episcopal Church. Musical items by pupils of Gourdon Primary School. Refreshments.
Saturday, December 12, Christmas Fayre at Mill of Benholm between 2 and 7 p.m. Santa Claus. Model railway. Teas at the Mill Tearoom.
Friday, 2 January 2010, Ceilidh in the Village Hall.
Friday, 19 March 2010 Ceilidh for Church funds in the Village Hall.

Memories

This week the village and surrounding area has been badly affected by wind and torrential rain. Apart from the damage to the sports facilities at Wairds Park emergency services had to be called to deal with flooding at the east end of the village and the road between St Cyrus and Johnshaven was closed for several hours. Twenty five years ago severe gales also hit the district and, although the village was reported to have missed the worst effects, one of its few remaining pantiled roofs, on a shed in Mid Street, was partially destroyed by high winds and had to be totally dismantled and a newly erected gable of a house in South Street was also demolished by the gale.