Around the island – Charlotte’s Web & more….

This weekend!

• You know it opens & runs this weekend, right? Denyse Davis tells me, “I’ve been able to be backstage for several rehearsals and this group of middle school students are doing a phenomenal job of putting their spin on E.B. White’s characters. Penelope Haskew is directing the play this year. Please urge our fellow islanders to come and enjoy this wonderful story about friendship!” Here’s more from the Community Theatre about this show which runs Friday & Saturday at 7pm and Sunday at 2pm:

The stage version of Charlotte’s Web captures all that is thrilling and enchanting in the book proclaimed by the Children’s Literature Association as “the best American children’s book of the past two hundred years.”

From Wilbur, the irresistible young pig, to Fern, a girl who understands what animals say to each other, to the extraordinary spider, Charlotte, who proves to be a “true friend and a good writer,” Charlotte’s Web is a story that has mesmerized generations.

More than 20 island middle school students will take on this delightful play that brings home the true meaning of friendship to kids of all ages.

While the story’s main theme is the importance of friendship, director Penelope Haskew says the play also brings a message especially relevant to middle school age children as they transition into their teens. “Wilbur is like the typical geeky new kid in the class and his innocence is off-putting to the other more worldly animals. Charlotte, however, finds him endearing; and in valuing him as a friend she makes it cool for the other animals to treat him with respect and love too.”

Penelope says her cast and crew of more than 25 island students have been focused and open to trying anything to make this production their own. “I think the audience will find they are riveted by Charlotte, Goose, Wilbur, Fern and the rest, so that the identities of the actors are no longer present.”

Charlotte’s Web Cast

Jordan Davis………………….. Wilbur
Halla Warner…………………..Fern
Madeline Schroeder ………..Charlotte
Will Christison ………………..Gander
Alex Hayes ……………………Goose
Sammy Finch …………………Templeton
Zoe Kromer……………………Martha Arable
Connor Dederich ……………John Arable
Helen Phelps ………………..Uncle
Isabella Brown ……………..Edith Zuckerman
Hayden Mayer ………………Homer Zuckerman
Lydia Downs ………………..Reporter
Beatrice Grauman……….. Announcer
Journey Howden ………….Photographer
Madrona Jameson……….. Lurvy
Emma Wickman …………..Avery
Essine Kilpatrick-Boe …….Sheep
Celia Roth …………………..Lamb
Macalister Arendt …………Spec 1/Fair/Judge
Madi Kincaid ……………….Spec. 2/Fair/Judge
Ryanne Pluff ……………….Spec. 3/Fair/Judge
Echo Wood………………… 1st Chorus
Jillian Urbach ……………….2nd Chorus
Colleen McPadden…………3rd Chorus

Student Tech Crew

Brooke Ashcraft………. Assist. State Mgr/Food Set-up
Qili Duyanski……………Running Crew
April Esposito …………Sound Designer/Running Crew
Hannah Krebs……….. Running Crew
Samantha Markham……….. Running Crew
Sami Menjivar …………Running Crew
Hailey Ott ………………Stage Manager & Prompter
Emily Rothlisberger…. Running Crew
Emma Schroeder …….Props
Fiona Sutherland…….Assist. Stage Manager SR/Props
Megan Wilson……….. LBO & Prompter

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Last week, Kurt Schwalbe wrapped up a month of teaching classical Tibet in India...photo by Janet Thomas.

Whoa! It must be spring, ’cause there’s a lot to try & keep track of! Did you know:

Wednesday night!

• Tomorrow night at the Rumor Mill, it’s the Henry James Band starting at 7:30pm….always fun, and always good – check out Cecil & Tom & Roger & James!

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• Just got a note from Kelly Snow about a thing to catch if you have a TV:

Set your recorders, Friday Harborites: Paul Deanno, morning meteorologist for KOMO 4 television station, will feature Friday Harbor Elementary School on his newscast on Wednesday, March 28 between 6am and 6:30am. It will be a customized forecast specifically about FHES. Our school was nominated to be included in this fun program by teachers, students and/or parents. Tune in!

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• Brendan has an important gathering on Thursday…hope you can come. Here’s the scoop:

The San Juan Island Grange and the Department of Emergency Management present:
Community Preparedness Forum
Thursday March 29th
5 – 6:30 pm at the Friday Harbor Grange

Local leaders will talk about what the chances of disaster are and how individuals and neighborhoods should prepare. Grange members will display their preparedness kits and discuss what steps they took to become self sufficient. Lots of opportunity to ask questions and to have informal discussions with folks who can help you take the first step.

Everyone in the islands should be able to be on their own for at least a week in the event of a major earthquake or other disaster, and this is a great place to start.

Light refreshments served or bring your own dinner.

Brendan Cowan, Department of Emergency Management

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The boys soccer team dropped a 5-0 decision last Saturday to Rochester, but played well, by all reports...that's Brett Paul attacking the goal the game before, against Granite Falls...photo by Susan Mazzarella

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