Penny Arril and her husband John were long-time members of EODL. They were both active in their home group Lindsay Little Theatre. The Arrils were devoted festival goers; Penny served first as Lindsay’s representative and then became EODL Treasurer in the 1970s and 80s.

Penny was given the EODL award for Outstanding Service. John was a well-known director with Lindsay Little Theatre. The original Penny Arril Award (inaugurated in 1990) was mislaid and has been replaced with the award which was inaugurated in 2015.

Mae Carmichael (1912-1984) was a charter member of the Deep River Players. She was one of Deep River’s most vibrant first ladies; her eager participation in town activities enriched the lives of everyone. She was regarded as a very fine actress, particularly in ‘older’ parts. Mae received the Best Actress Award for her role in “The Bald Soprano” in 1969. She also directed a number of Deep River productions from 1949 to 1962. Through Mae’s encouragement and coaching of young or novice actors, she passed on her expertise and lifelong love of theatre. Mae was also a marvelous audience member; when players on stage heard her infectious, irrepressible unmistakable chuckle, they relaxed. Word would be whispered backstage: “it’s going well, Mae’s here tonight”!

Nancy Chajkowski (1938-2006) became a part of the Kemptville Players upon moving to Kemptville in 1976. Over the years, she held every position but acting. Her design talents were sought by almost every production of the Kemptville Players as well as the North Grenville Concert Choir, the Youth Theatre group and St. Michael Catholic High School. She was heavily involved in many other community activities and organizations. Nancy was a homemaker; she raised four children and had thirteen grandchildren. This award is dedicated as a tribute to her dedication to her community and in particular her involvement with the Kemptville Players.

Donald Endicott was a leader in the formation of the Peterborough Theatre Guild in 1964. He was the first Chairman of the PTG Board. Don loved to direct, act, design and build costumes and sets, stage manage and do makeup. When he moved to Guelph in 1980, the headline in a full-page article in the Peterborough Examiner simply read: “Don Endicott is leaving”. He held many positions on the EODL Board through the 60s and 70s. He was involved with the Dominion Drama Festival in the 1960s and then served on the Board of Theatre Ontario shortly after its creation in 1972. EODL awarded him their lifetime achievement award for Outstanding Service. After moving to Guelph, Don became active in the Guelph Little Theatre but remained an audience member of EODL festivals for decades. Don passed away in 2008. The Best Coordinated production Award will recognize excellence in the people behind the scenes who move their plays to festival with meticulous practical planning and strong collaboration. This award was kindly donated by Don’s friend Dennis Johnson. The award was created by Guelph artist Steve Lewis and represents the world of backstage craftspeople and technicians in theatre.

The year the festival was in Deep River (1962), Dr. Colin Mawson was Chairman of the local committee. He noted that there was a growing interest in the festival on the part of school groups, but they had to compete directly with adult groups. To encourage them to take part, he arranged for a special trophy, where they were up against their peers. Rather than buying a bit of silverware, he wanted something created by a local artist and sketched out a totem pole. The owl atop represents wisdom and knowledge, the weeping face and smiling face representing comedy and tragedy. Dr. Mawson took the sketch to Pembroke to Abe Patterson, one of Canada’s great craftsmen. At first Patterson wasn’t interested but when he learned it was “for kids in a drama festival”, Abe agreed!

Helen was a well-known Peterborough teacher (Latin, Greek and Ancient History) and a charter member of the Peterborough Theatre Guild. Generally Helen did not becom involved in theatre except as audience, both critical and enthusiastic. She was a great supporter of the Arts in her home community and beyond. Over the years, Helen purchased many Canadian paintings from notable Canadian artists. For that reason, this award consists of a print of a landscape “Thicket”, by George Raab. Originally to be presented for Best Use of Speech, the award is now an Adjudicator’s Award. A new mount was made in December of 2001 with a plaque on the back listing the winners from 1977 to 1999.

The Nepean Little Theatre Award features the Nepean Bell — part of the LOGO which hung in the old township hall in Westboro. The bell was used to alert the volunteer fire brigade and sound the curfew and thus represents a physical link to our early history and heritage. The three architectural supports encircling the Nepean Bell symbolize the family unit of Father, Mother and Child. They also form the stylized “N”. The use of the colour green represents the wealth of open public lands, parks and rural lands within Nepean. Nepean Little Theatre closed its doors in 2003 after 35 years. (reference article from The Yodler 09-03-03). Due to a lack of venue, lack of people resources and lack of steam, Nepean Little Theatre regrettably decided to close their doors. Their space was handed over to GOYA (“Giving Opportunity to Young Adults”). NLT began in 1968 as Camelot Little Theatre and changed their name to Nepean Little Theatre in 1982. over the years, NLT produced 138 shows, won a total of 60 EODL awards and 4 Theatre Ontario awards. They were two-time hosts of the EODL Full Length Festival (1981 and 1991).