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 Debra and Kyle Ditomaso
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With 23 years of experience, Debra has been a consistent top producer. She is recognized by Re/Max in their top level 100% Club, as well as having been awarded the Executive Club and the President's Club by Re/Max Ontario-Atlantic Canada Inc. She started her career in real estate in 1986 in downtown Toronto, before returning to her home town of Belleville in 1990. She is proud to support our Canadian military and has been successful with many DND relocations.
In November, 2009, Debra is performing at The National Air Force Museum of Canada, located at CFB Trenton, in a play called Bomber Command, written locally by Carl Cashin, below the wing of the only Halifax Bomber in the world. It is set in 1943 and is the story of the lives and loves of the men who flew on these dangerous missions. She plays a night club singer and sings Let's Get Lost and I'll Be Seeing You.
In May, 2009, she competed in Dancing With The Stars of Quinte at the Yardman Arena (click here to view the video on YouTube). Her partner was Tom Secretan, Chief Warrant Officer, Eight Wing, CFB Trenton. They danced the Viennese Waltz. Over $8,000. was raised for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hastings Prince Edward and Volunteer and Information Quinte.
In September, 2008 Debra was awarded the prestigious Arts Recognition Award for her outstanding contribution to art and culture in the community. She has supported arts with her artistic talent and business skills.
She produced a vintage clothing fashion show in May 2008 at The Empire Theatre entitled Flashbacks a celebration of The Belleville General Hospital's Auxiliary's 70th Anniversary. This highly theatrical production featured over 100 volunteers, with clothing loaned from members of the community and Toronto's Tibe Trading Company, vintage nurse's uniforms and auxiliary uniforms with a grande finale of seven wedding gowns through the decades with fresh floral bouquets lovingly recreated to be exact replicas of those carried. An original photo was projected behind the model of each bride in her gown on her special day.
She produced a children's play called A Thousand Cranes in April, 2005, featuring a cast of 60, primarily children, which raised $12,000.00 for The Canadian Cancer Society. The photograph (left), is of Debra with Matthew Del Grosso (Fundraising Co-ordinator for the Canadian Cancer Society, Belleville).
She is serving her seventh term as Publicity Director for the Belleville Theatre Guild. She handles all the advertising, writes press releases, takes publicity shots and updates the web site with her husband Dave. She also works with their designer to create the brochure, poster and programmes.
She also acts, directs and produces. In June, 2008 she performed the lead role of Mama Rose in the musical Gypsy. In 2006 she performed in Noises Off at The Empire Theatre.
In 2004 she produced a Valentine's Day murder mystery dinner theatre event, which raised $10,000.00 for the BTG elevator addition. In October, 2006, she produced The Rocky Horror Halloween Dance, which raised $3,000. for The Belleville Theatre Guild and The Quinte Humane Society.
Debra has been the Chair for The Festival of Trees Holiday Home Tour for 2006, 2007, 2008 and again in 2009. She spearheaded a new position as Food Chair for the Festival in 2003 and 2004. This great fund raising event raises money for The Quinte Arts Council.
She has been a strong supporter of many charities and has produced, directed, commentated and performed in many fashion shows for Habitat for Humanity, the Quinte Ballet Guild, The Canadian Cancer Society, the Quinte Rebekah Lodge and the Alzheimer Society and for several bridal fashion shows. She has also been a volunteer on the Sexual Assault Crisis Line.
In 1998, she was the Chairperson of the Habitat for Humanity Home Tour. She has also devoted her time in support of the Belleville General Hospital Foundation and Belleville Parks and Recreation.
She was nominated for business Woman Of the Year for two years in a row and succeeded as runner up in that capacity in 2003.
She loves to sing and has performed in several musicals and at Wesley United Church's annual variety show. She and her husband Dave, love to dance and have taken ballroom dance lessons for the past few years.
Debra began her career as a copywriter with CHEX in Peterborough, then moved to downtown Toronto to work as a production assistant with CITY TV. She has co-owned her own vintage clothing shop called Tom Foolery in both Cabbagetown and Yorkville.
She is celebrating her 20th year of marriage with Dave in October this year. He is an on-line computer software teacher for Loyalist College. They have two Shih Tzus named Toto and Tara and a budgie aptly named Houdini. They love their red brick 1930's home in Belleville's Old East Hill.
