Arnprior’s Harrington Street was packed with vehicles from one end to the next, as a sold-out crowd attended Saturday evening’s “Songs for the Grove” benefit concert and fundraiser for the Save the Grove Again Committee, held at Emmanuel Anglican Church sanctuary. The evening was hosted by Jennifer Noxon, the Almonte singer-songwriter whose “Tall Pines” composition from the early ‘oughts celebrated the original victory that established the Gillies Grove Nature Reserve, which many perceive is again under threat from a proposed adjacent housing development. The setting provided near perfect acoustics for quality performances from local talent the ilk of Philip Candelaria, Fred Dell’Amico, Patrick Klein, Richard Fallows, Carp’s Three Corner Orchard, as well as Noxon and her partner Brendan Gawn- many of whom are no strangers to the national concert stage. Save the Grove Again Committee Chair Lacey Smith says the gathering shows the obvious interest of the community for the cause, and leaves supporters invigorated for what could be a protracted struggle ahead, including new obstacles from the Province’s Bill 5 which proposes an end-run around existing Environmental protections.
By Rick Stow