Local Hero: Caroline McDowell

Caroline McDowell is definitely a Local Hero to the Village Green English Country Dancers here in Winnipeg. She is an Honourary Life Member of the group, and although she has moved away from Winnipeg, her influence on the group is not forgotten.

With her amazing enthusiasm, dedication and hard work in all aspects of her involvement, Caroline made an enormous contribution to Village Green. She held a number of official positions with the Board of Management for several years, and she also danced in our dem teams for many years.

On her own initiative, Caroline reached out to dance groups in the UK and made contact with the Hawk Green Folk Dance Club. They became our "twin" group in the UK. Our connection with Hawk Green has enriched our dancing experiences in many ways, including several cross-Atlantic visits by members of both groups.

It was a feature at our weekly classes to see the bulletin board that Caroline put together. She had an enormous store of articles, pamphlets, poems and stories that she chose with care to let us know what was happening in our local community and to mark special days in the calendar. She often used this information to provide us with informative and fascinating insights into English dance and our local history.

Caroline was commended in the Country Dance and Song Society News (no.180, Sept/Oct 2004) for "initiating and maintaining contact with Hawk Green dancers of Cheshire, England, meticulously maintaining archival files, showing kindness and thoughtfulness to all, especially new dancers, and providing a weekly bulletin board of related community issues." Truly a Local Hero in all respects!

    - Submitted by Frances Harris