Houlton youth theater seeks permanent home

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For 35 years, some very caring people have helped keep Houlton Children’s Theatre alive.

The theater was founded by Bob Johnson at Ricker College, where many of the cast and crew were located, explained troupe member Julie Chapla.

When Ricker closed in the ’70s, however, that “did not stop a group of parents from continuing the theater, except now they had no stage of their own and had to use stages of the local schools,” Chapla said.

“The age of the students were also younger,” she added, since anyone in grade two and up “were welcome and, to this day, the ages remain the same.”

Two decades ago, she said, board member Ann Barnes started directing the plays, which she continues to do today along with serving on the board.

The seven-member board is “seriously looking for a new home for HCT,” Chapla said.

“The local schools have been very gracious and kind, but we feel it is time to find our own place. There is no place like home.”

Coincidentally, the theater recently presented “OZ,” and now, while the actors rest, president Lissa Thompson and the HCT board continue to work on finding a permanent home.

“We’re really in the beginning stages,” Chapla told me when I spoke with her a few weeks ago.

“All help and suggestions would be welcome,” she said, “and anyone who knows anything about grant writing would be most welcome.

“Also, if there are any other children’s theaters in the state, we would certainly welcome input from people who have been through this already.”

To help with this grand undertaking, call Chapla at 532-4041, or send donations to treasurer Glynn Porter, 448 Drews Lake Road, New Limerick 04761.

The history of the Bangor Symphony Orchestra is the focus of two events this week.

First, the Maine Public Broadcasting System’s Emmy award-winning series “Made in Maine” will air the history of the BSO at 8:30 p.m. Thursday, May 27, and at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 29, on Maine Public Television stations.

Featured will be BSO conductor and director Maestro Xiao-Lu Li, percussionist and longstanding member Bernard “Billy” Miller, principal viola Christina Winrich and executive director Susan Jonason.

The BSO staff also will plant flowers at the grave of Abbie N. Garland at 3 p.m. Friday, May 28, at Mount Hope Cemetery in Bangor.

In 1896, Garland conceived of starting a symphony orchestra in Bangor, and the BSO is now the oldest continuously operating community orchestra in the United States.

Each year, the BSO honors Garland’s memory, and the public is invited to attend.

From Katharine Thompson of Sullivan we learn that the Pierre Monteux School for Conducting and Orchestra Musicians in Hancock will be hosting a benefit yard sale, to be held on two Saturdays.

The event will be 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, May 29, and the same time on Saturday, June 5, in the school’s concert hall, which is located off Route 1 in Hancock.

To reach the site, watch for signs and turn off Route 1 opposite Taunton Bay Furniture Co.

Milo Historical Society secretary Allen Monroe invites you to a spring antiques appraisal fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 31, at the Milo Town Hall Arts Center-Auditorium on Pleasant Street.

“This will be the second such event for the historical society, with last year’s affair being very well received,” Monroe wrote.

Verbal appraisals will be $5 for one item, $8 for two items and $10 for three items.

Items will be displayed and a light lunch will be available.

All proceeds benefit MHS.

The 55th Class Reunion for Bangor High School Class of 1949 is planned for Friday, July 23, and Saturday, July 24, in Bangor.

However, organizers have been unable to locate 23 of their classmates to provide them with this information.

“Missing” members of BHS Class of ’49 are David Batchelder, Gloria Cole Fleming, Herschell Cronkite, Ann Dunphy White, Betty Franklin Shibles, John Goodwin, Leslie Grant, Constance Hackett Gerrard, Earl Hanson, James Hoffman, Helen Marie Johnson Fegal and Edmund Jones.

Also Barbara Kjenslee, Roland Leland, Caroline Pevetty, Paul Savage, James Smith, Philip Smith, Ruth Stevens, Alice Sullivan, Allan Turner, Wanda Upton Selby and Harry White are being sought.

If you have information about these individuals, call Pauline Dyer Ballanger, 989-4596, or write her at 93 Parkway North, Brewer 04412-1234.

Joni Averill, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402; 990-8288.