shania.funurl.com

Shania Twain fans converge on City with the Heart of Gold;
Fourth annual convention underway in Timmins

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The Daily Press
August 11, 2006
Chelsey Romain

Some drove many hours, others flew from the other side of the globe - but no matter how they got to Timmins they were ready for the fourth annual Shania Twain Fan Convention to begin.

Those who arrived in advance had the chance to see what it's really like to live in Northern Ontario and took the eight-hour drive to Toronto on Tuesday to pick up incoming fans and make a few stops along the way.

Earl Garman made the 18-hour drive from his home in Maryland last week, only to jump on the bus that would take those who arrived early to Toronto for a trip to the Country Music Canada studio and the Deerhurst Resort.

"I'll do it again next week when we bring them back," said Garman, who is making his third trip for the convention.

On Thursday, fans came together at the Shania Twain Centre (STC) for the convention's official start.

After welcoming remarks were made and gift bags were handed out, it was time to unveil the centre's newest exhibit.

While a walking tour had brought many fans by the empty lot that housed the Maple Leaf Hotel until last week, the new exhibit - a small scale replica of the famed bar - gave many a chance to see it for the first time.

One by one they entered the 'new' Maple Leaf, many remarking how authentic it looked.

"I'm really proud to see that someone took the initiative to take a piece of the Maple Leaf and re-create it here," said Mark Richard, whose family owned the Maple Leaf until it closed several years ago. "The Maple Leaf's part in Shania's destiny was small, but we're glad we were there."

Besides taking in the memorabilia displayed on the walls, many sat at the same tables that once were placed in front of the original stage while others leaned on the bar in the back as they were treated to performers who used to frequent the Maple Leaf years ago. Each fan was also presented with a small piece of a wall from the Maple Leaf that workers at the Shania Twain Centre took when they prepared for the exhibit.

"It was awesome that the fans were here with us when we officially unveiled this tribute to the Maple Leaf," said STC manager Tracy Hautanen.

For many, the convention means more than just seeing the latest exhibit and they say it is worth travelling great distances to be here.

"I come for the fans," said Timmins resident Paulette Sullivan. "The fans are fans for awhile and then they're your friends."

Sullivan and Garman have managed to keep in touch, as Garman travels that same 18 hours twice a year to visit the centre and the friends he has made in Timmins.

"It's so much fun and you get to meet people from all over the world," said Sullivan.

Tom Waller is originally from Scotland, but now temporarily lives in Timmins.

He calls himself a late convert, since he only became familiar with Shania's music five years ago. But ever since, he has been a dedicated fan and is one of the few who has attended every convention.

"The people at the centre are very dedicated and are much like Shania herself; caring and down-to-earth," said Waller. "They are great ambassadors for Timmins."

Waller said he hasn't seen entire families as fans of one particular artist since the days of ABBA, and claims Shania has yet to write her best music.

"Most heritage centres are museums for the dead," said Waller. "This is a centre for someone whose career has yet to peak."

Over the next three days, fans will travel through Timmins visiting places and communities Shania frequented. They will visit her old high school, see the places she frequented and in the meantime catch a glimpse at what Timmins as a city has to offer.

"I'm looking forward to meeting (Shania's) band members because they just seem like nice people," said Phil Cornwell of England, who is here on his third visit to Timmins, adding he keeps coming back "because of the people, the fans and the local people of Timmins. They are just so friendly."

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