There seems to be something about the Dickson Store Museum’s plays and the weather.
In 2009 when the museum produced the play “Once Upon A Dickson”, a huge tent was rented for the production. When the renters came and erected the tent they said, “You are very sheltered here and we do not foresee any problems but if a storm blows in make sure the doors and windows to the tent are closed”. That evening a huge storm blew in and the wind was lifting the tent pegs right out of the ground. The quick response of the men tying the tent to the vehicles was the only thing that saved us from disaster.
This time the museum produced the play “Poplar Grove Ladies Club” on Nov. 9th & 10th. That week it began snowing on Tuesday and it was still coming down on Friday the night of the dinner theatre. Despite the weather almost 180 ticket holders slid into Spruce View for the evening performance. Everyone forgot about the weather outside while they enjoyed a delicious hot roast beef dinner prepared and served by volunteer Nettie Pettman and crew.
For the next couple of hours the hall was filled with periods of laughter followed by silence as everyone from young to old related to the play in some way. The play ended with an old-fashioned Christmas pageant that was certainly one of the highlights of the evening.
We also had a quick visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. Mrs. Claus was played by good sport Henry Van Der Kolk who pretended to be shy and did not want to come out from behind the curtain. The crowd roared when he appeared swinging some beads and dressed in a hat with braids, a Christmas tree skirt, and a pair of knee-high socks.
The play was a great success and people are asking for repeat performances. There are so many talented people in our community and everyone donated their time and talents to make this production the success it was.
There are always some bumps along the way prior to performance night but how quickly you forget about those when you receive the praises and the evening ends with a standing O.
by Sharon Lightbown