Community shows appreciation to former step-dancer John Langford:  A large crowd attended an appreciation night for a man that has served his community for many years.

John Langford, 54, was the man of the hour at Don McCredie’s farm near Bristol Monday night as friends, family and the community came to the McCredie farm to pay tribute to him.

“He entertained many of the older folks in retirement homes who couldn’t get out to see musical events,” said McCredie, a long-time friend of Langford’s and host of the appreciation night. 

“He was the kind of guy who would help everybody.”

Langford owned his own grocery store, Langford’s Grocery, for about 35 years before selling his business five years ago after being diagnosed with a neurological brain disorder, which causes a degeneration of the muscles in the body. Langford is well known for step-dancing, which he had been doing for about 40 years and taught step-dancing for 15 years out of his home.

Langford’s two sisters, Fran Erfle and Margaret Arrand came with him to the appreciation night. Even Langford’s first tap-dancing teacher came to the appreciation night to do a tap-dancing routine for Langford. 

Also on hand to show their appreciation were several musical guests, which included emcee and step dancer Donnie Letts, Ottawa District Old Time Fiddlers Carl Trudeau, Gail Gavan, the Schwartz Family, Chris Last and Bonnie Burgess.

Killarney’s looked at by council, owner, police: Saying it has received numerous complaints, Shawville council passed a resolution at its June meeting calling for a stronger police presence at Killarney’s Bar on Main Street.

In a resolution tabled June 26 by Coun. Sandra Murray and seconded by Coun. Blake Pirie, council “requests that a letter be written to the owner of Killarney’s stating that he must hire four policemen with two cruisers to police Killarney’s area during activities at the hotel, mainly on Friday night, Saturday night and on weekends.”

Shawville Mayor Albert Armstrong says the resolution comes on the heels of several incidents at the popular night-spot, including one in which a man was left unconscious after being hit in the head with a billiard ball in a sock.

“It was an unfortunate incident,” said Luc Forget, a Killarney’s manager. “It’s not easy to sleep after something like that.”

Shawville council is also concerned with late-night rowdyism and vandalism, some of which occurs hours after the bar closes its doors at 3 a.m. As well, Armstrong says neighbours of the bar find the late-night “noise unbearable.”

Armstrong says after speaking to the police and the management of Killarney’s Bar, he is confident the problem will be addressed.