Story of the Play

Mr. and Mrs. Lovely are living happily and contentedly in their declining years. Their little home is free of mortgages - or any other financial encumbrance, and their pretty and devoted daughter, Emeline, will very soon become the wife of the upright and highly esteemed Jack Nightenham.

But, lo, the inevitable villain appears to mar the tranquil scene. Howe I. Catchum has discovered oil on the Lovely property and with smooth talk and empty promises succeeds in obtaining their signature to a document which mortgages their home. He then disappears, and when they next hear from him it is by a letter which informs them that the mortgage is due on the following day; and failure to pay will mean immediate foreclosure.

The distracted parents appeal to Jack, who goes to the City in the hope of obtaining the necessary money. Daring his absence the crafty Catchum proposes the compromise: If Emeline will consent to become his wife, he will waive payment of the mortgage; and, at last, unable to put him off any longer, Emeline is forced to promise herself to Catchum in order to prevent her parents from being turned out into the streets.

And so it is to this sad plight that Jack returns, accompanied by the wily Vera Dalton, who professes a great interest in Jack in order that she may get an opportunity to appropriate his wallet which now contains the necessary money to redeem the mortgage. We soon discover that Vera and Catchum are old partners in crime; and the old saying: "It takes a fox to catch a fox" make each suspicious of the other and so causes their mutual downfall.

This play is based on an original story by Cole Roberts.

The Play Book Cover

FLORENCE HALIDAY - Flossie enjoys directing plays. She is a student of dramatics. Her stage experience dates back to high school days. She was an active member of the little theater group in St. Joseph, Mo. While in St. Joe, she played ingénue parts, helping to convert the old fire barn into a theater.

Melodramas were her favorites. In Delton she is a member of the Community Auxiliary; Campfire Director; grandmother of two; has been very active in dramatic work in past years. She directed the "Minstrel show," proceeds of which were used for the red curtain in the high school auditorium.

The Story behind our Community Auxiliary

There are among us several whose early memories include endeavors of our own busy parents to have a community meeting place - for fun as well as other reasons, thus resulting in the Community Hall. The original construction was paid by wholehearted community effort - in many directions.

Home-talent plays were hi-lites; remembered especially are: George and Blanche Eddy, Frances and Marshall Norwood, Mary and Royce Henton, Eloyse and Leon Leonard, Ellis Faulkner, Julia and Leon Doster. The "finished" products were outstanding. After weeks of rehearsal and hard work backstage they played two night stands and were talked of for many weeks thereafter.

Pedro parties were tremendous successes as Mabel and Wade Town, Elsie and Jack Horton and so many others will remember. A special word must be said for the community-wide square dances which even the children enjoyed. Homer Kelly was surely the fancy-stepper, especially for the young gals who were allowed to stay until "10-ish." Archie Woodman, the younger Brouards, Boulters, Sam Geib and his violin, and the Community Orchestra, including Roy McBain, Will R. Maurice, Myron Johncock, Mary Henton, Ross Pierce - others too, of course - all enjoyed the fun.

Let's say we now consider any effort we make will serve as a tribute to them.

The Lions and the Boosters took over the renovation of the building, working long hours on the plumbing, redecorating, etc. and still had the work of also raising money for such. So we wives, seeing their double burden, banded together in this Auxiliary to take care of the raising of the money needed to modernize the hall.

We heartily thank you all for your splendid cooperation.

Who's Who in the Cast

RUSS PEABODY - Russ is a busy man with his distributorship of the Cities Service Oil Co., and his many clubs. He is a member of the American Legion, Lion's Club, Masons, Boosters, Eastern Star, Scottish Rite, and the Shrine. He says if he ever has time his hobby will be flying. His stage experience began in Sunfield High where he was the leading man in the senior play.

BUD LEONARD - Bud was the leading man in the Junior play, many of the townspeople will remember his famous ad lib when he found that he had forgotten the handcuffs he needed. Bud is a ham operator when he isn't working as jack-of-all-trades at the Phone Co. He is a member of RACES, BARC, Civilian Air Patrol, MARS, ARECS, the Fire Department and the Masons.

MARIE McCARTNEY - Marie was once a very active club woman in Kalamazoo, but since moving to Delton she has spent her time mostly enjoying her Wall Lake home. For a little over a year her home has held all her activities for her little daughter, Sharon, has kept her busy. Marie enjoyed dramatics in high school and took part in the Minstrel Show. Her hobbies are sailing, swimming and hunting. She is a member of the Wall Lake Yacht Club and the Community Auxiliary.

WILLIS HALLIDAY - Although he is new to the stage, Willie has been interested and active in this work for many years. He has been pressed into service in almost every capacity backstage by his wife Florence. He is a past president of the Lion's Club and works for the Western Tablet and Stationery Co. in Kalamazoo. He was born in Springfield, Mass., lived in Missouri, and came to Delton 9 years ago.

ELLIOTT EDDY - This is far from a novel experience for Elliott. He appeared in many plays for the benefit of the old community hall along with his mother and father and other members of his family. Coming back to work for the benefit of the hall is like coming home to him. He was in what he terms "a flop" called "A NIGHT IN HOLLYWOOD" directed by a "traveling director," two operettas and the Junior and Senior plays in school. His hobby is his home which he has been remodeling and redecorating. He works for National Water Lift in Kalamazoo; is a Mason and a member of the Fire Dept. Elliott would like to see a player's group formed to produce regularly scheduled performances. He is interested because he feels that in this way he is carrying on a tradition that was dear to the heart of his late mother.

LOUISE BUEHLER - Louise acted in her first play when she was but six years old. She performed in dramatic activities during high school and in a Drama Club in later years. She is employed by the Hastings Reminder. Her hobbies are reading and collecting records and Hummel figurines. She has two sons in college and a daughter who is a new Mamma. She belongs to the Altar Society and the Community Auxiliary.

GOLDIE ROYER - Goldie is a Registered Nurse who has put her profession aside to raise a son. She keeps in touch with it through the young people whom she sponsors in the Future Nurses Club. Her hobbies are stone collecting, ceramics, and copper enamel ware. Until now Goldie has been too busy to be active in community activities and is just beginning to do the things she has always wanted to. She serves the community as Den Mother, and works in Blood Banks and Immunization clinics.

MAXINE WISNEWSKI - Maxine says that there is nothing interesting to tell about her but it is agreed that without her motivating force the "Villain" would have stayed in his book. Her only other experience on stage was in PTA shows. Her hobby is ceramics and besides the Community Auxiliary she is a member of the Women's Auxiliary of the Osteopathic Hospital in Lakeview.

SPEED SATTLER - Speed is the "show boy" of Delton. His voice has been heard at weddings and charity shows in the area for several years. He was director of the Catholic Church choir, sang two seasons with the Kalamazoo Male Chorus, appeared many times as MC, and acted in PTA and TV shows. His hobbies are his wife Phyllis and their three daughters; and basketball and baseball besides his interest in show business. He is the mechanic at Dewey's Car Palace. Speed is looking forward to the forthcoming production of Kismet in Battle Creek. He appeared in Show Boat last year, and in the Kalamazoo Follies of '57.

OLLIE SMITH - Ollie is the wife of Ted Smith. They are well known in their neighborhood as house builders, boat builders, sailors and friends to "The Adams," stars of stage and TV screen. Not content with her busy life Ollie bought a Hammond Organ, took nine lessons and started a new career. Her music has been enjoyed at the Thornapple Grill in Hastings, at the Coffee Shop in Cloverdale, and at the Father-Son Banquet, besides many a singing session for her friends and neighbors. Ollie's talents include sign painting and haircutting. Ted and Ollie own Smith's Refinery Stations in Battle Creek, Albion, and Hillsdale. They belong to the Wall Lake Yacht Club, and the Amphi-Con Association.

MILLIE JOHNSON - Although raising two daughters and helping to run the Radio Room keeps Millie busy, she still has found time to take a course in singing and stage presentation. She appeared in the Minstrel Show. She graduated from Delton High School.

KATHY MUDGE - There is no phase of show business that Kathy is not interested in. She has worked backstage or appeared in every musical presented by the Community Chorus in Battle Creek. She says dramatics and music have been her hobby ever since she can remember. She is pleased that her son, Tim shares her interest and has worked on many productions with her.

HEMSTREET - Vocal Instructor in Delton High; 21 mo. Army, released last October; wife an R.N. live at Long Lake.

KOOI - Band Director in Delton High; lives in Kalamazoo; 4 yrs. in Army; Deltones, Summer Dance Band.

HARPER - Used to sing a lot - This is just for fun.

Program

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