Sally Evans grew up in a musical family singing the old songs and continued singing them as a recreation aide at Noric House in Vernon. When the Legion approached her to put together a musical show for the Year of the Veteran in 2005, it was a no-brainer.

"I said 'absolutely,'" said Evans. "It had been on my mind for 10 years already. I sing these all the time, but most seniors don't ever get a chance to hear them. My first choice (to partner with) was Molly (Boyd). We met when her choir was at Noric House." It was a "match made in heaven," as the two of them came up with a chronological selection of music from 1939-1945, and then presented it in a personal, informal way, which included the audience and put them at ease.

The response has both amazed and delighted them. At their first show 165 people at the Legion were crying, laughing, singing and reminiscing. Then they held three shows, for 300 at a time, at Vernon's Schubert Center where seniors were lined up outside the building to get in.

"They're all songs that bring back memories, such as Lili Marlene, I'll be With You in Apple Blossom Time, Swingin' on a Star, White Cliffs of Dover and Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree," said Evans. "At one song a husband and wife were crying and holding hands, remembering when he was shipped out. I try to touch each one emotionally, but we do silly ones too. There's lots of laughter and singing along." She points out how important the songs were during WWII, in bonding people and keeping morale up.

"I introduce the song with who sang it and what was going on and I read an excerpt from a diary of a soldier in the African desert. You can hear a pin drop. It's a real honour to do the show. We want to pay tribute to the people who lived through that time - those who served overseas, those who were stationed in Canada and those who kept the home fires burning." Afterward people often line up to speak to Evans and Boyd about their own stories of being an entertainer in London during the blitz or seeing Vera Lynn in person.

Evans grew up in east Kelowna, where she was singing and playing guitar as early as she can remember. She began entertaining at 13 and for many years has been singing in a duo with her sister Megan as The Evans Sisters and with their band The Top Dawgs. She has also done musical dinner theatre and acted at the Powerhouse Theatre.

Boyd became leader of a choir for the first time as a teenager in Vernon and never quit. Over the years she has directed the glee club, a group called the Fillies who were associated with the Riding Club, the Singing Saints, the Whistler Singers, the Folksong Four, the Schubert Singers, the Vernon Community Singers and the All Saints Anglican Church choir. She is also part of the Chilly Creakers, a group of Coldstream seniors who have fun playing at dances.

Both of these musicians are excited about how their show can create camaraderie among groups of strangers and greater appreciation between generations. A friend of Evans came with her father to the show and when she saw him singing she found that the words were in her also although she had not realized it before. She expressed gratitude for being able to connect with him in a way she never had before.

Evans and Boyd have a policy of never saying no to an invitation and making the price reasonable enough not to keep anyone away. They have had 10 performances booked in 2006. November 5 there will be a free show at the Vernon Legion for veterans and their guests. November 9 will see them at their biggest venue yet, the Kelowna Community Theatre, for a $5 a seat show at 2:00 p.m. Tickets will be available at the door if there are any left. They can be purchased at the Water St. Senior's Centre. November 25 a Salute to the War Brides special tribute will be held at the Kelowna Legion. This is a dinner and theater for $10. For that event contact Peggy Wells at 763-9812.

2006-11 Lynn Dewing