Tartan Terrors bounce back from misfortune

Burlington’s own Tartan Terrors have rebounded from a devastating theft and are ready to rock for the holiday season. Known as North America’s Premier Celtic Event, the Terrors have a busy schedule ahead, but have also made time to come home for the holidays.

Life didn’t look quite so rosy for the Terrors on Sunday November 4 when their sport utility vehicle, its trailer and all the contents were stolen from a Grimsby parking lot where
troupe members Meg and Ian Irmisch had stopped briefly for groceries. The Irmisches were returning home from a benefit show at Gettysburg, Pa. when the theft occurred. The eight member troupe travels in two vehicles.

The missing items included a laptop computer, sound equipment, speakers, wireless microphones, microphone stands, T-shirts and thousands of Tartan Terrors CDs. But, as reported in The Burlington Post, their greatest concern was for their four-year-old mini schnauzer Sequel, who was inside the vehicle. “He’s such a sweet, friendly little puppy. We had no idea where to start looking,” Meg told The Post.

But the next day, Sequel was found in Hagersville, shivering but unharmed. “It was quite a relief,” Meg said. Their burntout SUV was found later Monday morning in Brant County.
“It was stripped,” Meg said. “The leather was taken off the seats.”

But the group is not missing any scheduled performances because of the theft, including a very special show they performed at Canadian Forces Base Borden on November 16
to entertain more than 1,800 service men and women. “We were thrilled at the opportunity to perform for the troops. It was an unforgettable night,” said Ellen Irmisch, co-artistic
director.

The 2007 Holiday Tour also includes a performance December 3 at the Rose Theatre in Brampton, where the Terrors will celebrate the release of their latest album, Tartan Terrors Christmas. The album features traditional holiday favourites such as I Saw Three Ships, beautiful classics like Pachelbel’s Canon on the bagpipes, and plenty of Tartan Terror
comedy for good cheer.

On February 29, 2008, the Terrors will return to Hamilton Place for their annual Ceilidh. “This is our hometown show, and we’re pulling out all the stops. These are our die-hard fans who have supported us since we began 12 years ago,” Ellen says. “Looking back at where we’ve come since then, it’s been a mind-boggling ride. We’re working on tons of new material, and we can’t wait to bring it all together for everyone at home.” For more information on these shows, CDs and other upcoming events, visit www.tartanterrors.com.

Supporting the arts is important
to Boehringer Ingelheim
By Ron Dennis

Thanks to its generous $10,000 contribution, Boehringer Ingelheim Canada Limited (BICL) occupies a special place: lead sponsor. With nearly 300 employees at its Canadian headquarters in Burlington, (700-plus across Canada), this German-based, familyowned
pharmaceutical giant believes strongly in supporting the local community. “That support includes many good causes, but the creative arts holds a special place in BICL’s heart”, says Ian Mills, President and CEO.

“All of us at Boehringer Ingelheim are proud to be lead sponsor of creative ventures like PAB,” said Mills. “We value the whole idea of the creative arts in Burlington and as an example, the new performing arts centre is an excellent expression of that.” Besides its support of PAB’s services to arts organizations and individual performers, the company is
a major donor to the Burlington Performing Arts Centre campaign with a gift of $250,000.

BICL’s annual Value Through Innovation (VTI) program, when employees can spend a day helping their own favourite causes, is another way to support the community. On VTI day earlier this year, groups of employees fanned out from Halton to Hamilton to Huntsville, helping a food bank in Hamilton, planting hundreds of trees for the Royal Botanical Gardens and supporting a summer camp for kids with cancer near Huntsville – among many other activities.

“It’s a day off for the few but for the many, it’s an experience that manufactures cherished memories,” said Derek O’Toole, BICL’s Director, Market Access and Communications.
Since launching Canadian operations in 1972 with a focus on innovative R&D, BICL has played an integral role in the health of Canadians. It has earned recognition for the treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and has expanded its
product portfolio to include treatments for Parkinson’s Disease, HIV/ AIDS, Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, hypertension and stroke.