2013 PUMC Variety Show

This year’s edition of a nearly annual event in the history of the church was just that, variety. America’s Got Talent has nothing on what we experienced in the course of two hours. The evening was filled with music, comedy, and acrobatics.

After being greeted by Susan Angel, members of the church and their friends of all ages entertained an audience of about 60 folks in the church vestry, an intimate setting for this form of activity. Dick Matthews served as the Emcee and interspersed introductions with his droll sense of humor.

The evening was led off by Norah Anderson who performed an enthusiastic Karate demonstration. She was followed by Merrill Kaiser and his buddy Charlie who sang a country classic. Merrill was dressed in his cowboy finery which included his boots and hat.  The only thing missing was his horse.

Aaron Matthews played his clarinet and regaled us with his interpretation of the old rock and roll classic, “Duke of Earl”. Mariah Bowker followed and beautifully rendered the song,” Wind Beneath My Wings”.

Sally Smith returned from many variety shows past and recreated a character that sang, “The Old Gray Goose Is Dead”. What a sad song, but she certainly presented it in a hilarious format. The character she played certainly is different than the real Sally that we know.

The largest group to present themselves before the audience was “The Ushers”.

Most of the members of this group have or do serve as ushers on Sunday mornings and at other times during the year. Let us go on record to say that all who sang have ushered someplace. The female members who performed at the Variety Show this year were Kathy Brann, Carol Bruneau, Marnie Childress Rosemary Herd, Barbara Nelson, and Betty Splettstoesser. The male members consisted of Chuck Childress, Tom Nelson, Randy Pike, Dick Small, and Art Tordoff.

Others who have practiced and will be part of the group at a later date include Dan Doughty and Keith and Becky Snoddy. The first song that the group sang was “I Will Follow Him” and the second song was, “Oh Happy Day”. Both songs might be recognized for their inclusion in Sister Act I and Sister Act II.

 

At intermission folks could indulge in sweets, popcorn and punch as served by Janice Huelin and Becky Gotlieb. While no official intermission was charged donations were accepted. Even a ticket was handed out for the next bean supper, to one lucky person whose name was drawn form a bag.

 

In the second act Charlie and Merrill again entertained us with western flavor in song and Charlie followed with a rendition of a Jethro Tull classic.

 Pastor Tom and Kelly entertained us with a hilarious encounter between a pay phone user who loses his dime and a myriad of telephone company personnel played by Kelly. For those that have not experienced the travail that use to be pay phone difficulties you got the feeling of helplessness and frustration that that was sometimes in the lives of phone users.

Betty Smith sang acappella a song from the movies. She did a great job, one that takes courage without accompaniment.

Paul Obie and Fred Wade played the keyboard andUke during the mid-portion of the second act to a delighted audience.

Marnie and Chuck Childress who had participated with the Ushers sang an inspirational song together and told a few jokes. Marnie in the closing of the show sang with her sister, Rosemary Herd. Aaron Matthews appeared back on the stage briefly in the second act looking for “Attention”.

A good time was had by all and I think all went home glad they had come. It was a good way to support the Peoples family and a way to see people in a different light from the way we do on Sundays.