The Mail-Journal, Volume 22, Number 13, Milford, Kosciusko County, 27 March 1985 — Page 16

THE MAIL-JOURNAL — Wed., March 27,1985

16

School news

'Our Town' a hit at Wawasee

By CHRIS CAULEY Staff Writer The beauty of the play “Our Town” is that it is so straightforward as to be simple, yet so poignant as to be profound. The Pulitzer Prize winning play, written by Thornton Wilder, was presented Friday and Saturday night at Wawasee High School by the high school drama department. The play is set in a New Hampshire village called Grovers Corners in the early 1900’s. Life there is portrayed as simple, yet its simplicity is what the people who live there find most attractive about it. Things never change in Grovers Corners: people are born there, they grow up there and they die there. That aura of sameness or simplicity helps to magnify the impact of the climactic third act when one of the play’s heroins, Emily Webb (played by Paula Smith), dies during childbirth and is taken to the local cemetery for burial. ' The message conveyed by that dramatic scene is that people — we the living — are too engrossed by or concerned with the mundane aspects of everyday life to be able to really enjoy life. Death brings hope. The play, co-directed by Lesa DiPaolo and Charlotte Erp, was warmly received by the audience in the W.H.S. Auditorium, and deservedly so. The various members of the cast did a fine job in their portrayals of characters, enough so that there were more than a few sobs in the audience when Emily was laid to rest in the third act. Cara McMahan was convincing — excellent — in the role of Stage Manager, probably the most important role in the play. In her role of narrator. McMahan helped bring the audience into the play. She served as a “go-between” — she was privy to all that happened in Grovers Corners, yet she became almost a part of the audience by speaking directly to it. Also outstanding was John Dixon, who played the role of Editor Webb, the easy-going, chummy newspaper editor of Grovers Corners. Dixon helped bring the role to life with a comfortable, downhome kind of drawl. The other main characters were also right on the mark with their efforts. Very few lines got bumbled during the two hours of the play. Brad Mitchell was George Gibbs. George, 16, spends the first act tossing baseball in the air, the second act graduating from high school and falling in love with Emily Webb. Paula Smith, as Emily, admires George from afar in the first act, then uses her developing

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NEAR BED TIME — George (at left. Brad Mitchell) listens to his father (Doc Gibbs, played by Peter McFarland) tell him that he should help his mother with some of the household chores like chopping wood. At far right is Emily Webb (played by Paula Smith), who has already gone upstairs to bed. This scene of “Our Town” was in Act I. The play was presented Friday and Saturday nights by the Drama Department of Wawasee High School. (Photos by Chris Cauley)

Mathew Haab runner-up Mathew Haab, sixth grader at Milford Elementary School, and son of Mr. and Mrs. Alvin (Carol) Haab, r 1 Milford, was runner-up in the Kosciusko County spelling bee held last Wednesday night, March 20, at the First United Methodist Church, Warsaw. Matt missed the word “legible” on the 23rd round and Jeff Holsinger, Mentone seventh grader, spelled it correctly and then won the title on the next round. Medals were given to each of the 27 elementary and junior high school participants and trophies to the elementary and middle school champions. Judges were Gayle Harris and Ann Haffner from North Webster Elementary School. Tim Yeager, Milford Elementary School, was the pronouncer and county coordinator was Richard R. Long, principal of North Webster Elementary School.

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SHINE ON HARVEST MOON — George Gibbs (Brad Mitchell) tells his younger sister Rebecca (Debbie Bjella) to go find her own window late in Act I. Rebecca wants to study the moon with her older brother — “I think maybe the moon’s getting nearer and nearer and there’ll be a big ’splosion,” she says to George.

womanly charms to ensnare him in the second act. She calls him conceited and blames him for not being perfect, then breaks down and cries. That brings out the pity in George, who takes her out for a soda. Before you know it, he’s abandoned his plans of attending Agricultural School in favor of staying in Grovers Corners and marrying Emily. George and Emily have been married for nine years at the start of the third act when Emily dies while giving birth to their second child. The act takes place at the cemetery, and a number of Emily’s relation have preceded her in death. They are seated, stoically, side by side on the stage: there is Mrs. Gibbs, played well throughout by Kim Lundy, and Simon Stimson, the drunken church organist of the first two acts. He’d hung himself (Simon played by Travis Marsh). Also dead by 1913 is Luella Soames (Peggy Burke), who provided much of the comic relief

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earlier in the play by singing too loud during church chorus and by speaking loudly during George and Emily’s wedding. When Luella was introduced as being one of the dead, the audience in the Wawasee Auditorium laughed (we saw you smile, Peggy). In the graveyard scene, the dead are able to converse, and Emily joins their conversation as she enters with the rest of the funeral procession. Emily (Paula Smith) eyes the funeral procession warily and says, symbolically, “They’re sort of shut up in little boxes, aren’t they? I feel as though I knew ’em last a thousand years ago.” Even so, Emily wants to return to the living for a day. Mrs. Gibbs (Kim Lundy) warns her not to. “Our life here is to forget all that and think only of what is ahead,” Mrs. Gibbs tells Emily. “And be ready for what is ahead.” But Paula returns to the living — she picks her 12th birthday as the day to re-live — but she is soon disenchanted by people’s

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YOUR QUESTION PLEASE — Cara McMahan, who played the stage manager in “Our Town,’’ and John Dixon, who played Editor Webb, fielded questions from the audience during Act I of the play. "Likker ain’t a regular thing’’ in the homes of Grovers Corners, Mr. Webb tells the audience, adding that it’s, “Right good for snake-bite, y’know — always was.”

aloofness, with how they take her for granted. “I can’t go on!” Emily finally cries out. “It goes so fast. We don’t have time to look at one another. Oh. earth, you’re too wonderful for anyone to realize you!” With that, the Stage Manager (Cara McMahan) escorts Emily back to her grave. “Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it — every, every minute?” Emily says to the stage manager. “No,- McMahan answers. “Saints and poets maybe — they do some.” Emily tells Mrs. Gibbs that she should have followed her advice and not returned to the living. “I should have listened to you,” Emily says. “That’s all human beings are — just blind people!”

Room 4-U 4-H club plans sale

The Room 4-U 4-H meting was conducted Tuesday, March 12, in the home of Marcia Conkling. The meeting was opened by pat Ross, president. Jamie Conkling led the American Pledge followed by the 4-H pledge led by Dick Ross. New members were introduced to the club. There were eight new members sign-up in the club with 22 members present at the meeting. Chad Engle gave a demonstration on cake decorating. He decorated a cake with a 4-H Emblem, using the star and the dot tip. The club voted to have a bake sale on Saturday, April 6, at Thornburg’s Drug Store, North Webster from 8:30 until sold out. Al t JLIJ ill I.I.IJUUUUUUGP Shorten : • The Distance.: a Flowers Say j-A s ■ It Best! 9 J I Easter is a special time to ! remember those you love. ■ This Easter, shorten the' distance for those closest to ■ your heart with the AFS J EASTER BASKET. It’s ■ flourishing with a delightful J array of garden fresh spring ■ flowers. Call or stop by our J shop to order the AFS ■ EASTER BASKET. J “COUNTRY COUSIN” I« & ; “MY GOD” • Figurines ’ Smith’s : Flower & ■ Gift Shop < ■ 506 W. Section St. — 658-4686 1 J Milford J ■ Located 2 Blocks South And 1 J 2 Blocks West Os i ■ Stoplight On 15. ■ ■ Hours: 9-5:30 Mon.-Fri. . ! 9-5 Sat. i

Finally, George Gibbs (Brad Mitchell) returns to Emily’s grave. He hovers over it, sobbing. “Mother Gibbs?” says Emily. “They don’t understand, do they?” “No, dear. They don’t understand,” answers Mrs. Gibbs. Other lead characters in the play, not mentioned so far, included Peter McFarland as Doc Gibbs, George’s serious-minded father; Keith Burbank as Howie Newsome, usually seen in the play delivering milk and leading his imaginary cow, Bessie; Debbie Bjella as Rebecca Gibbs, George’s younger sister; Eric Brown as Professor Willard; Ron Thomas as Constable Warren and as Minister; Butch Ritter as Joe Crowell; and Eric Metcalf as Wally Webb, Emily’s younger brother.

Members will also be selling coupon books for a local business for the April money making project. Proceeds will go towards the 4-H club and other nonprofit organizations in North Webster, including the 4-H foundation. A motion was made to enter Good deed Make someone happy today. Mind your own business!

THS WAWASFFFFA CHAPTER WOULDLIKE TO THANK THK FOLLOWING FOR THEIR GENEROUS SUPPORT OF OUR RECENT SLAVS AUCTION Augsburger's Super-Valu Rodney Hollar Mr. and Mrs. Howard Beer Nonhan and Eunice Hunsberger Nelson and Shelby Beer Greg and Paula Kaiser Black Walnut Farms Richard and Clara Kaiser Dr. and Mrs. A. G. Schafer Robert and Bernice Miller Bruce's Marathon Mr - and Mrs - Haro,d Moneyheffer Bruce Hunsberger Pn ‘ ce Auto Repair . Crestview Farms Stan and GingerPnce R« y and Margaret Darr j / i- — □ Bernard and Avelda Roberts Jim and Jack Rhodes Jon and Betty Jo Roberts Phil Fawley p on an( | phyllis Roberts Grady Farms Mr. am | R| rs> Albert J. Schafer Glenn and Zelma Grady Wa | nut H j|| Dairy Farm Jerry and Jane Grady p au | and Marge Karst Mark and Denise Grady Leon and JoAim White Ray and Paula Haab Mike and Carolyn Zimmerman A VIRY SPICIAL THANK YOU TO JKRRY LAMBIRT •UR "SUMR" AUCnONUR

Historical Society sponsoring youth seminar March 30

The Genealogy Section of the Kosciusko County Historical Society is sponsoring a youth seminar for all county students in the junior high and high school levels. The seminar is to be held

Local student accepted at 111 medical school

M. Bradley Calobrace, son of Michael Calobrace, r 4 Syracuse, and Linda Osborn, r 1 Leesburg, has received a letter of acceptance from the Indiana University Medical School. The biology-chemistry major will graduate from Manchester College May 19 and enroll in the Indiana University School of

XIIIBO £ IB K ** spwhg JB B ' MB talent- f ■ snow B B f SATUB£>AY a Bit ' apbil 20 h B V fioopM ■ ■ L \ MHMgV WEBSTER I - ■] ■ 1 sc hool '■■ T<* | •' / tHBBBBB I Bk i TALENT SHOW — The talent show scheduled for Saturday, April 20, at 6 p.m., in North Webster Elementary School will be “The Night The Stars Come Out,” as students will display various talents. Refreshments will be available. The evening is sponsored by the North Webster PTFO, with Barbara Sledge and Yvonne Polise as co-chairwomen. A total of 54 students in grades kindergarten through fifth will be providing 39 acts for the audience. All participants will receive a trophy and there is an admission charge for adults. Students will be admitted free. Those helping with the event include Bea Haddock, decorations; Linda Doll, backstage; Rita Laughlin and Diane Bowman, refreshments; Elaine Rogers, publicity. Shown in the photo are just a few of the students participating. Kneeling in front is Mandy Thomas. Standing in the second row are Heather Hoile, Tricia Preston, Vicki Polise and Natalie Mickly. Standing in back are Scott Hardy and John Noble.

groups in the Share-The-Fun contest, Monday, April 11. The meeting was adjourned and the refreshments included the cake Chad Engle decorated. Games Make tasks for younger children like a game. Set the kitchen timer and if the task is finished before the bell rings give the child a reward.

at the Warsaw Public Library on March 30 from 1-4 p.m. in the lower level. David Bowser of Mentone, along with other members of the genealogy section will teach you

Medicine in the fall. Calobrace tentatively plans to specialize in surgery. Calobrace is a 1981 graduate of Wawasee High School and is both a dean’s list student and a Manchester Scholar. He currently serves as president of the Manchester Activities Council and is a zoology laboratory assistant.

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how to get started in researching your family. There is no fee for this seminar. The only things needed are paper, pencils and a desire to learn about your pioneer ancestors. “Do You Really Know Who You Are?” will be. the topic for the seminar. Were your ancestors English, German, French or Dutch? Were they one of the first settlers? What was the name of your great-great-great grandfather? Was he a farmer, miller, wheelwright, cooper, or sea captain? If you have ever wondered about these questions, the society will try and help you find the answers. A tour of the Old Jail Museum will also be given to look at the many old records found there. All students and teachers are welcome. 'X ACCEPTED TO MISSIONS PROGRAM — Missions Outreach, Inc. has announced that Mark Daril Smith, aged 13, has been accepted to serve on a work/witness team in Panama this summer. MOIs general director Delmar Caulkins says Smith will be on a team of about 20 young people plus four adult leaders. Smith is the son of Eric and Ann Smith, 904 Park Ave., Winona Lake. He is in the eighth grade at Lakeland Christian Academy. MAKE A KITE Free KITE pattern & instructions with your fabric purchase. Special assort ment of lightweight windproof kite cloth just 89c yd. MYSTORE Pickwick Place Uptown Syracuse