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Something new happened in Calhoun County this past
weekend.
The Historical Society presented the first Legends
and Lore tour at Heritage Village. It was well organized and directed by
Maricia Mlynek and Terry Snider Harris, but many other members helped
with all of the preparation. It was an hour in length, and then the
guests were invited to visit the village buildings.
There was no script, but the participants studied
notes about their character and delivered their own presentation. The
information was gathered from books at the Family History Center and
family collections. A few of the younger members had some acting
experience, but there was the usual anxiety, with questions of “Will
anyone come?” and “What if one of the cast is sick?” and “What if it
rains?”
There were only three short rehearsals of about an
hour each, but this did not mean the tour was a haphazard undertaking.
The village structures were furnished with the props that were needed,
costumes were assembled, hay bales were lugged in for seats, horses and
riders were engaged, programs and flyers were printed and distributed,
and many more preparations were made.
Comments made by the audience warmed the hearts of
the Society members:
“My Dad attended the Stevens School.”
“This was much better than I expected.”
“I felt like I was in the home of the Stemple
sisters. They acted so frustrated and worried over living conditions.”
“Shadrack Badgett (the story teller) made us feel
like we were really there.”
“I didn’t know that Nancy Hart had ever been in
Calhoun County.”
“I didn’t know that things like this took place in
Calhoun County.”
“How did they exist without mail or government?”
“I would go again tomorrow, if we did not have to
be out of town.”
“The clothing was so fitting for the time period.”
“We were not taught about this when I was in school
(in the early ’60s).”
“This information needs to be filmed.”
“Hope they will do the tour again, maybe each
year.”
“Can we have a Christmas tour?”
Presenters showed their love of the characters they
represented: “My great-grandpa was born in this house.” and “We felt
like we had gone back in time.”
Thanks to the visitors. The Historical Society
enjoyed having you for the tour. Please come back soon.
The Family History Center on Main Street in
Grantsville is another project of the group that may be of interest. New
members and guests are welcome at all meetings, which are held on the
second Thursday of each month at the History Center.
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