M*A*S*H

Andrew Gerard Helping Us

I have a cartoon hanging up by my computer that reads, “When I get old I don’t want people thinking ‘What a sweet little old lady. I want ‘em saying, ‘Oh crap! What’s she up to now?’” Well, let me tell you… ha ha!

Rehearsals have begun. And oh what fun! Our production of M*A*S*H is definitely going to happen  on February 10, 11, 17,  18 at 7:00 pm and 11 & 12 at 2:00 at the Star Theatre in Upper Sandusky — to bring HOPE to a community shocked by evil recently and to raise money for Hannah’s House, The Star Players and the Middle School’s Hope Squad. 

During this month of January, we  are sponsoring a contest to give away  two free tickets to M*A*S*H  and a 16X20 framed picture called “Hope” taken by Canadian photographer Andrew Gerard. I have always been  fascinated by Gerard’s cinematic portraits and beautiful landscapes on Instagram so I reached out to the multi-talented photographer, director, magician and asked if he would send me one of his landscape pictures that represented HOPE. Gerard immediately answered back, “Wow,  this sounds like amazing fantastic work you're doing;  and absolutely yes.  Can you give me a day or two to go through my files and find something that feels right?”

And Andrew  did find something “just right.”  He sent an explanation along with the  photograph he chose.  The message  is on display in Woven Yoga’s window in Upper Sandusky — along with the picture.  “This photo I took was at a very sacred place in Canada. ‘Cathedral Grove’ where some trees are 800 years old.  My father passed in February and I was traveling.  I pulled over to the side of the road and walked into the forest with my camera…looking up I realized that these trees have been here through many of our lives…And that they grew as a result of other trees…As I grow old as my father did.  The sun broke through and I had tears rolling down my face, smiling, as I took this photo.  I have never felt more hopeful than  this.”  ~ Andrew

People who would like to enter the Give-Away Contest for the picture and free tickets should finish the statement “Hope is…” — in 25 words or less — and send it to me at stoneburnerjan@gmail.com, my FB page or comment on this Substack entry NO LATER than  January 22, 2023.  People  can also text their entries  to me at 419-764-0233, making sure to include their names, however. A committee will choose the description or definition of HOPE  they like the best.  No purchase is required.

Excited to say, we have another awesome Give-Away. It goes perfectly with the football game the doctors play in Act II of M*A*S*H — to raise money to send Ho-Jon to school in the U.S.

At the end of EACH performance, the cast will  give away “The Duke” football  to an audience member.   The 6 balls were donated by Amy Conway and Wilson’s Sporting Goods of Ada, Ohio, the  manufacturer of all NFL footballs for the last 75 years. According to their website, “The Duke”  was named in honor of the game's pioneering legend and NY Giants owner, Wellington Mara, who as a young boy was dubbed “The Duke” by the Giants players.   Valued at $159.95, this special NFL ball is as close to the authentic, on-field icon as a fan can get.

Tickets for all M*A*S*H performances will go on sale to the general public on January 23.  Seats can be reserved by contacting me or by leaving a message at 419-294-1411.  Donation: $25 a seat We HOPE to see you! xoxo

It’ll Be OK. ( But pray for us anyways! )

~~~

“I’m not sleeping. I’m inspecting the inside of my eyes.” ~ Hawkeye

COMMENT: How would you describe HOPE? I’d love to read your responses!