DJ takes seniors on 'Sentimental Journey'

BY WENDY ELLIOTT

The Advertiser

NovaNewsNow.com

Seasonal celebrations in New Minas featured recently a second seniors’ dance that attracted almost a full house - 115 participants.

The village fire hall was decorated for a Sentimental Journey seniors’ social with DJ Loran Fevens. Fevens was well known locally for a decade when he was morning host on Annapolis Valley Radio (January 1964 to December 1974).

Sentimental Journey is a show Fevens started almost six years ago on CHTN in Charlottetown. It is now carried on five radio stations in various parts of Canada: Yarmouth, Eastern Passage, Glace Bay, Chatham, Ont., and Whitehorse, Yukon.

“I started the program as a result of my 19 years of work with Veterans’ Affairs in Charlottetown. I created and managed a project to record broadcast-quality video interviews with Canada's veterans.”

Over a four-year period, Fevens gathered 1,800 hours of interviews with about 850 veterans from coast-to-coast. “During those four years, time and time again, I heard veterans remark to me, ‘We never hear our music anymore.’ The program was intended to fill that need.”

He lined up the music of yesteryear and was willing to do requests. The New Minas Recreation Department hosted the event and provided refreshments.

Valentine’s dance Feb. 21

Recreation director Vince Forrestall said a special visitor in a red outfit passed out Christmas presents and storyteller Laurent d’Entremont took part.

Forrestall said the second event for the older age group followed a popular fall dance that brought out 63 people.

A Sentimental Journey Valentine’s dance is set for Feb. 21 as part of the annual New Minas Winter Carnival and 40th Anniversary Celebrations for the community.

Forrestall got to know Fevens several years ago when he worked in Yarmouth. The seniors’ dances they started at a local boat club proved very successful.

“When I took my position here, it was on my radar to offer seniors a similar activity. I included it in my budget, convincing the Recreation Advisory Committee and the village commission to offer it. I really wanted Loran to do this.”

Fevens agreed to travel from Yarmouth and the concept has grown. Forrestall attributes the success to Fevens and his radio experience.

“Seniors know him and relate to him. We look forward to Sentimental Journey ‘Valentine’s’ in February, weather permitting, of course.”