Two of the many groups that are active at Sandy Cove Acres are looking forward to a busy year in 2008.

Gil Boeckler, of the Sandy Cove Photography Club, just finished his first term as president.

“I joined three years ago,” Boeckler says. “Our first president, Jim Burgess, got the club rolling along. The initial thought was to have a group of people who wanted to improve their photographic technique. Then, as digital cameras became more popular and more software became available, the focus also became to learn more about digital photography. We have a wide variety of people who belong to the club now, including three professional photographers. We have 47 active members – many of them are also members of our Art Club.”

The group meets at 1 p.m. on the second and fourth Friday of the month at The Wheel community hall in Sandy Cove.

“Any resident of Sandy Cove is welcome to join,” Boeckler says. “There’s a little business conducted at the beginning, then we have a presentation on topics such as outdoor photography or PowerPoint. Then, we have a short break, followed by a seminar. We end with a question and answer period. We’ve had guest speakers, including the past president of the Toronto Camera Club.

“We also hold monthly projects such as ‘Shadows” or ‘Christmas lights’. Members bring their shots to the meetings. We also have field trips; we went to Tiny Marsh last spring and The Falconry near Tottenham, plus a lot of areas near Sandy Cove. We have a mentoring system where people coach new members.”

Boeckler says there’s a good balance between men and women involved in the club, including some couples.

“They can be pretty competitive with each other,” he laughs.

A selection of members’ works are exhibited at the well-attended September Art Show held at Sandy Cove each year.

“For many of the people, it was their first showing,” Boeckler says. “They learned basic techniques and over the past year gained not only experience, but the desire to take good pictures and have them displayed. It does a lot for your ego when you sell one, too.”

Annual dues are $15 per person or $25 per couple.

“Anyone is welcome to sit in and see what it’s all about,” he says. “You’re bound to find somebody you know.”

For those women who love a good tune, the Covettes singing ensemble is a great way to socialize while performing to a variety of people throughout the year, says Jean Oldershaw.

A 14-year resident of Sandy Cove, Oldershaw says the 28-member group first started from a group of Sandy Cove women vacationing in Florida in the winter of 1980.

“When they returned to Sandy Cove in the spring, they formed the group with six original members.”

Over the years, the group grew both in size and in reputation.

“We’re just a fun group,” Oldershaw says. “Most of us can’t read music but we enjoy singing in front of people. We’re there to enjoy ourselves. We get on very well together.”

The Covettes meet on Friday mornings at The Spoke community building.

The Covettes just finished a very busy December performing at retirement residences and nursing homes both in Innisfil and Barrie.

“When we sing at a nursing home and cheer people up, that’s our goal,” Oldershaw says. “We also sold out our Christmas variety show – 300 seats, at Sandy Cove, too,” she adds.

The group performs themed shows at Easter and Halloween as well.

Last November following the municipal election, “Mayor Brian Jackson asked us to sing at the council inauguration,” she adds.

The ensemble is just starting to rehearse for a concert in February that will also feature the Sandy Cove Men’s Glee Club.

Fundraising for good causes is an important part of the Covettes’ mandate.

“We hold an annual bake sale once a year to raise money,” Oldershaw says. “It’s always very crowded. We donated $2,075 to Royal Victoria Hospital and if we hear about a family with a sick child who needs help, we’ll donate.”

While the group has pretty much a full roster of participants presently, Oldershaw says anyone is welcome to come in and sit in at a practice.

“We take ideas from anyone,” she says. “It’s such a great group. We all love each other!”