A tried-and-true recipe of food, wine and song continued to raise tens of thousands of dollars for environmental preservation at the 10th anniversary of the Jim Cuddy All-Star Jamboree in Honeywood last weekend.
On July 12, 350 guests paid $200 per ticket to enjoy food, beverages and a musical lineup led by Blue Rodeo vocalist vocalist and guitarist, Jim Cuddy.
The annual event, which is organized by Conserve Our Rural Environment (CORE), nets $30,000 to $35,000, said Bill Duron, who hosts the event with his wife Melody and fellow CORE member Norm MacEachern at the Duron’s property on Lyric Pond.
CORE is a group that focuses on prioritizing agriculture, water resources, wildlife protection and recreation in Mulmur and Melancthon.
This year, the money will pay for legal fees CORE incurred during its 2012 fight against the Highland Companies’ megaquarry and its ongoing battle against the Arbour Farms gravel pit. It will also be put toward advising policymakers on maintaining land use for water and food production, wildlife and recreation.
“We still need to pay back some professionals who worked on the megaquarry,” said Duron. “We also pay people with scientific backgrounds, professional planners and for legal advice.”
Thirty volunteers kept the event going along with local sponsors such as Creemore Springs, Creemore Foodland and The New Farm, as well as wines by Fleur du Cap and Place in the Sun.
Cuddy, a resident of Mulmur, has been involved in the event for the last seven years.
“The event helps give voice to our concerns up here,” said Cuddy. “It’s critical to keep agrarian land close to the city. I don’t have a problem with gravel pits [in general] but you can’t screw around with water.”
Cuddy and his band featured guests Justin Rutledge and the Romney Getty Band.
“Jim brought his son, Sam, and Norm MacEachern’s son, Andrew, played drums,” added Duron. “It was a jamboree in every respect.”
The annual concert is one of CORE’s major fundraisers, which also include private gourmet dinners that members host in their homes. Learn more about CORE and its work at www.corecares.ca
