Shine on Terry McGovern
Terry McGovern is a long-time volunteer in the Ottawa community. Since his retirement over 15 years ago from the Ottawa Catholic School Board, Terry has had even more time for volunteer leadership. Most of his projects focus on his home community, Manotick, where he was instrumental in raising over $500,000 for the “Raise the Roof” campaign for the restoration of the historic Old Mill. To make this possible, Terry booked a number of well-known Ottawa and area musicians for a series of concerts in this beautiful space as well as at the Manotick United Church and at kitchen parties in his home. Entertainers have included Lynne Miles, the Great Sneezy Waters, Suzie Vinnick and Vince Halfhide. He has also volunteered for CHEO, Kiwanis Music Festival, St. Joe’s Women’s Centre and many long-term care residences including the Ruddy-Shenkman Hospice where he provided entertainment with his folk group.
During the COVID pandemic Terry has organized socially-distanced concerts for tapings to be distributed free to various seniors’ residences and on Youtube as part of the Manotick and Area Centre for Arts and Wellness.
In addition, there is an Orpheus connection: besides attending almost every show for many years, Terry was, with a little prodding from his older brother John, cast as a Shark in the 1968 Ottawa premiere of West Side Story. Says Terry of the experience, "Younger brothers never question or win arguments with older brothers, so off we went to one of the most memorable experiences of my life, West Side Story with Michael Burgess as Tony, and a number of other stellar cast members
What an inspiring story of a lifetime spent giving back through music and community service, especially the incredible “Raise the Roof” campaign. Terry’s West Side Story memories sound unforgettable too—I’d be reflecting on stories like these while enjoying a quick game of Polytrack !
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