Caleb Nickerson
BRISTOL July 15, 2017
Around ninety country music fans came out to the Jack Graham Community Centre in Bristol on Saturday night to listen to some tunes and support local organization Ski Pontiac.
Crooner Lauren Hall provided the entertainment for the evening and had folks up on their feet or tapping their toes to her soulful ditties. Hall is an Ottawa Valley Country Music Hall of Fame inductee and is a staple at Legion halls and fairs in the region.

Shirley Russell and Connie Renaud started Ski Pontiac seven years ago. The organization currently boasts over 15 km of groomed cross-country ski and snowshoe trails. This past year they hosted several events, including torch-lit skiing events and the Pontiac’s first loppet. They also purchased 10 pairs of snowshoes to provide to guests.
“We’ve had Lauren here before, about three to four years ago,” Russell said, explaining that the musician was popular enough with the locals that they sought her out a second time.
Renaud explained that the money will be spent improving the trails and signage for the upcoming winter.
“We have a brand new snowmobile but we need a machine to break up the ice on the trails,” she said, adding that she would like to expand the loppet to include more participants. “This year I’m hoping to do it bigger.”
In total, the event brought in just over $2,000.
“This community has been so generous,” Renaud said. “They’re very supportive.”