P.A. celebrates Don Mitchell with music, food and ‘corny jokes’

The man with the unmistakable voice, who told the stories of Prince Albert and area for half a century, has retired – perhaps for the last time.

Mitchell was sent off last night at the Art Hauser Centre’s Ches Leach lounge in an evening of food and drinks, music from Donny Parenteau and the Johner Brothers, and, of course, some trademark Mitchell humour.

Don had retired once from CTV ten years ago, before making a comeback on CKBI. The on-going joke was Mitchell’s opposition to being put out to pasture, but after each presenter razzed the radio host, he was sincerely praised for his commitment to the community at large.

Don’s son, Kevin Mitchell, a columnist with the Saskatoon StarPheonix, said growing up in Birch Hills, his dad was a bit of a local hero. School friends of Kevin’s, the kind of kids who were probably “driving and smoking” by 12, told the younger Mitchell Optimist TV Bingo was their favourite weekend watch.

“It was just my dad playing with his little bingo balls, telling bad puns and corny jokes,” Kevin said, adding he thought his dad’s common touch was part of the reason he was so successful.

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Kevin said Don told him his listeners, viewers or the public in general were just friends he hadn’t met yet. And it was this respect for the community – both mutually making each other better – which define Don’s career.

Friend and colleague Steve Shannon, formerly of CJWW, brought with him the well wishes of a number of high-profile guests. The veteran performer did spot-on impressions of Bill Clinton, John G. Diefenbaker, Justin Trudeau and Jean Chretien, but perhaps most impressive was his parody of Don himself.

Shannon said not only did he perform on air pretending to be Mitchell, but his impression actually fooled CKBI staff over the phone.

All joking aside, Donny Parenteau, who also performed during the evening, called Don one of his best friends.

“When I needed a shoulder to cry on when my dad died, you were there,” he said, adding on top of being a personal support, no one championed local musicians more than Mitchell.

Jim Pattison Broadcast Group general manager Karl Johnston said the decision to employ Mitchell ten years ago was an easy one. He called Don the voice and conduit of small town groups, and the most respected media person in the community.

Richard Ahenakew, general manager of the Northern Lights Casino, presented “Papa Don,” as he called him, with a star blanket, thanking Mitchell on behalf of the local First Nations community.

Ever the joker, Mitchell took to the podium apologetically.

“My voice is…how it’s always been,” he said with grin.

After thanking the community at large, the staff at the Jim Pattison group – including helpful admin staff he referred to as his “angels” – Mitchell fell into a rare moment of introspection. When asked what advice he’d give for young journalists coming up, he said, “don’t be afraid to work and take chances. Be part of the community, because the community, the people are your best resource.”

dana.reynolds@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @danitska