"Faith County" comin' soon

Mark your calendars for 8 p.m. Oct. 11 and 12 or 2 p.m., Oct.13, in the Sparta School Auditorium for the ACT production of "Faith County," a slap-stick comedy, set somewhere in the middle of nowhere in the south, where the beehive hairdo is still high fashion and Saturday nights are reserved for the tractor pull. Directed by Robbie Presnell, these good ol' boys and gals spark and feud over who deserves the blue ribbon at the fair. Think "Romeo and Juliet" performed by the cast of "Hee Haw."

The misfits of Faith County are: Mildred Carson (Marion Adams), Faye McFaye (Susan Landreth), Ruthann Barns (Kathy Mizerak), Naomi Farkle (Karen Atwood), Delbert Fink (Thomas Rector), Luther Carson (Bob Bamberg), Violet Farkle. (Jennifer Tracy), Gladys Pimbleton (Jean Sparks) and Bubba Bedford. (Poss Hamm).

Look for promotional material featuring the "Faith County" logo created by ACT's own graphics guru, Betsey McRae, and plan to be at the show.

Truth is that the venerable ACT website was little more than a lick and a promise so that this organization could sport a URL. Not anymore. Check it out at sparta-nc.com/ACT/

The new site has programs and pictures from all past plays, a copy of this newsletter (future newsletters will be posted). And online membership signup/renewal and payment. Yep, you can form an annual relationship with ACT without leaving your PC. Pay for it with Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express. You can even write a check online!

Is there anyone out there willing to donate office space to ACT? Just a place to store official records and have a phone with an answering machine to announce upcoming productions when folks call. The rental value of the space would qualify as a tax deductible donation. (Hey, we'd be happy with a second story cubbyhole way in the back.)

Any ideas? Call Robbie Presnell 372-8178 or Bob Bamberg 372-2883.

The Alleghany Arts Council is advertising Regional Artist Project grants for $200-$1,000 for artists to further their endeavors. Projects are diverse, such as, producing a demo tape for a composer, a portfolio for a graphic artist, workshop/retreat/seminar expenses, rental of equipment or facilities for the presentation of a new work -- you name it.

If interested, contact the Alleghany Arts Council at 372-2578. Applications are due September 6.

ACT presented a $444 check to Dr. Georgia Latham for the Diabetic Support Group of Alleghany. The check represents a portion of ticket sales to ACT's production of "Steel Magnolias" which dramatized one family's struggle with the condition. The money goes to help create a library of materials on the subject available to local diabetics. The Support Group is open to any diabetic and meets at 7 p.m. the second Monday of the month in the Community Building at 85 East Whitehead Street.