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The Newcomer
(by Della Bacon - December 14, 2009)
I have to tell you, I met up with some tiny elves at Frontier Christmas at the Visitor’s Center in early December. They told me, “It’s Christmas Time in the North State! And we do it in style.” I asked what they meant, and they replied, “Snow ... Snow.” Sure enough the following day it snowed. Now, in my opinion, “That’s magical!” (Everything about this community seems magical to this Newcomer.) To my surprise, more than 600 people showed up at this annual festivity. What impressed me the most? It was the children making Christmas wreaths, candles, and various other items to take home. Food? Santa’s helpers cooked up some elegant hot dogs, fancy breads, cookies, and snacks. I even got to witness several weddings. Amazing and lots of fun!
I also was entertained at Birdcage this December. Written and directed by our own Anna DeVore, a stage play mystery, “Cliff’s End” is an adaption of a famous movie of the 40’s, starring Ray Milland, Ruth Hussey and Gail Russell. It is being performed at Birdcage Theatre on Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday at 2 p.m. through December 20. DeVore has managed to re-invent the characters with two newcomers to Birdcage Theatre: Alexandria Marie Olson and Joshua Furtado, who realistically played the starring roles of a brother and sister who purchase a haunted house. Is it a tear-jerker? No! Is it a laugh-out-loud funny? Is it spooky? Well sorta. But most of all it is a cute play, with numerous chuckles and a surprise ending. Do I recommend it!?! Absolutely! It featured excellent supporting actors and actresses, appealing set design, and realistic costumes. Please don’t dilly-dally getting your tickets. This play is opened by a surprising ham, Ruggus, the pride and joy of Susan Eisenberg, who will be seen as Helen in “Lost” to be performed at Birdcage Theatre in January with co-star Barbara Daggett.
Kathy Neal’s talented students performed at The Visitor’s Center and the State Theatre recently. “Were you there?” You don’t have to be a kid to get a kick out of the children when they come out in style, costumes and with darling grins on their faces. What a wonderful treat! Makes me want to be a grandmother all over again. Hooray for Kathy Neal and her young proteges.
If your children didn’t participate in Kathy Neal’s Christmas Program at the State Theatre, keep in mind you can sign them up for next year. Because each year there is another new and beautiful Christmas program of wonderment performed by this community’s delightful and talented youngsters.
It wouldn’t surprise me if someone told me the new and exciting entertainers known as FEVER, got their start at Neal’s. This vocal group is performing at Oroville’s State Theatre on December 18th at 7:30 pm. in Rockin’ Holiday. What is a Rockin’ Holiday? You gotta see it to believe it. If you were downtown on the First Friday in December or at the Visitor’s Center’s Frontier Christmas, you might have been fortunate enough get a sample of their exceptional talent.
Home At Last Sanctuary of Yankee Hill, will be at Tractor Supply on Saturday December 19th, from 10 to 4, with none other than Father Christmas and his favorite horse. (No, not Prancer. That’s a deer, dear.)
Please don’t forget The Winter Talent Show at the Municipal Auditorium on December 19th at 7 p.m. There will be Santa, nice prizes and a 50/50 Raffle. Admission is a mere $2 at the door.
Did we meet at the Light Parade? Wasn’t it terrific? Were you twinkling and flashing with Christmas lights around your neck? If not, why not? It may not be too late to get your necklace from ACE Hardware, Better Deal Exchange. That’s where I purchased my twinkling necklaces for the past two years.
Regardless if you took your family to Frontier Christmas or to the parade, folks in Oroville can still get their pictures taken with Santa this Saturday at Tractor Supply in the Staples Shopping center on Feather River Blvd. You can meet up with Father Christmas and most likely a few of his elves, maybe even reindeer. You bet, I will be there. But, you don’t want a picture of me—the idea is to celebrate the season with your children and Father Christmas.
In the meantime, drop me a line or two at my email address: della@diggernews.com. (Or drop off a letter at The Digger office. You can tell me what your New Year’s Resolution will be.
della bacon
The Newcomer
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