Schools Out For Summer!!!

School is out for the year, and I'm so glad.  Z2 is going to be a junior next year, and was elected Junior Class president.

Kiki Aru completed 8th grade at KMS, and now will be a freshman at Kellogg High School. 

I head off to KHS myself.  I will no longer work at KMS, and will be at KHS all the time now.  So PKR, Z2, Kiki Aru and myself will all be at KHS next  year. 

Soon PKR and I will be immersing ourselves in the history of the 1910 fire.  We are involved in many projects this summer helping to tell the story of the very prominent event in Silver Valley history.  We are going to be doing some historical tours in Wallace, directing a melodrama, and writing and performing an historical production called "Voice of the Big Burn".  We are also going to work with some kids on some street theater stuff.  I'm really looking forward to this summer.

If you are in the Wallace area, come and see a show.  More information can be found at www.sixthstreetmelodrama.com.

M is for Melodrama

I am thankful for being a part of the Sixth Street Melodrama and Theater here in the Silver Valley.

I first began my Sixth Street journey in the fall of 2004 in a Christmas show called "I'll Be Home for Christmas."

The following summer, I was in one of the summer melodrama productions.

Since then, I have been in musicals, comedies, and more melodramas. I have had the opportunity to act, sing, write a melodrama, direct two melodramas, and one musical revue.

It has helped nurture my creativity in ways I never thought possible.

I have gained confidence through my time on the stage.

My whole family loves performing on stage, and singing and acting. What a blessing that we all have this common love.

Quiet, restful days....Busy Nights

My days these past two weeks have been very relaxing. Not a whole lot going on during the day, so I garden, read, study, doze, do things around the house....it has been wonderful having this down time with my husband. This week Z2 and Kiki Aru have been at church camp, so with only The Princess around, it has been even quieter.

Nights have been filled with rehearsals for the upcoming August show at the Sixth Street Melodrama. PKR wrote this script and is directing the play, and I am directing Kelly's Alley Revue, which has a Roaring Twenties theme. Here are some pictures from the rehearsal last night of "Mesmerizing Merry, or....Thanks For The...Uh...Memories".

The show opens Wednesday, August 5th, and runs through Sunday August 30th. Shows are Wednesdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m.

Kiki Aru at Silver Hoops

This past weekend, Kellogg hosted their annual three on three basketball tournament called Silverhoops. Kiki Aru played in the tournament on Saturday, losing her first game, winning the second, and losing the third.

It was a pretty hot day, but it was fun going over to watch and I saw some friends I hadn't seen in a while. I'm glad we live about three minutes by bike from the courts so I could take breaks and get out of the heat.

Z2 also spent the day there volunteering as a score keeper, and got really burned. OUCH!!

This morning, Z2 and Kiki Aru headed to church camp for the week. I pray they have a wonderful week. The Princess didn't get to go this year, because of work.

"D.K. Molar, The Devious Dentist" ended on Sunday at the Sixth Street Theater in Wallace, and now we are getting ready for the August show, "Mesmerizing Merry, or....Thanks For the...Uh...Memories". PKR wrote this one, and is directing it as well. I am directing the review, my first attempt at this. It is all 1920's music. I can't wait until it all come together. The show opens Wednesday, August 5th, and runs Wednesday through Sundays until August 30th.

Sixth Street Melodrama Summer Season Kicks Off This Wednesday

Cast members of the upcoming Sixth Street Melodrama production of “D.K. Molar, the Devious Dentist, or….There’s Gold In Them Thar Teeth” are rehearsing for the upcoming opening night on Wednesday, July 1. Shows are performed every Wednesday through Saturday evening at 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. through July 26^th. Pictured are cast members Steven Frank, Molly Roberts, Paul Roberts, Ryan Griffin and Kimara Eisler. Wednesday’s opening night show kicks off the melodrama season with a gala beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the theater.

WALLACE—Audience members have a chance to boo the villain and cheer for the hero as the Sixth Street Melodrama opens their twenty-sixth season this Wednesday.

“D.K. Molar, the Devious Dentist, or….There’s Gold In Them Thar Teeth” opens Wednesday, July 1 at 7:30 p.m., with a special opening night gala beginning at 6:30 p.m.

The first melodrama of the theater’s summer season is directed by Paul and Carol Roberts. Both are also sharing a role in the production as well. Other cast members include Molly Roberts, Steven Frank, Ryan Griffin, Aly Evans and Kimara Eisler. The cast will also perform Kelly's Alley Revue, a musical/comedy revue after intermission.

This production is about a dentist who finds a villainous way, with his evil sidekick nurse, of finding gold in the mouths of his patients. Mixing together patients, a goody-two shoes receptionist, a dashing dentist from the floor above, and nitrous oxide, or “giggle gas”, you get quite an interesting combination.

Opening night for “D.K. Molar” will be Wednesday, July 1, and will run every Wednesday through Saturday evening at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m., through Sunday, July 26.

Ticket prices are $15 for adults, and $13 for students and seniors. All tickets throughout the summer on Wild West Wednesdays are $10.

Reservations can be made by phone by calling the theater box office at 752-8871, or toll free at 1-877-SIXTHST.

More information can be found at www.sixthstreetmelodrama.com.

Phantoms of the Melodrama

I realized I hadn't shared about the one thing that has really kept me away from blogging much this summer. It is performing in the Sixth Street Theater's production of "Phantom's of the Melodrama."

We have performed five shows, and have 15 more to go. We perform Wednesday through Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday afternoons at 2 p.m.

I directed the melodrama, am playing the villian, and perform in the musical review. PKR is also in the melodrama, and he directs the review and also performs in the review.

To reserve you tickets, call locally 752-8871 or toll free 1-877-SIXTHST. Tickets are $10 for students and seniors 55 and older, or $12 for adults.

Our last show is August 24.

I guarantee you will have a wonderful evening of feel good entertainment.

See you on stage!!!

Check Out The Sixth Street Theater Story

The Spokesman Review has a story in today's paper about The Sixth Street Theater. I think after today, our family shouldn't have any more stories in the paper for a while.

Jim Kershner did a nice job highlighting the theater and the melodramas performed there each summer. I am glad he liked the show, and hope it draws more people to the theater in the future.

The story in today's paper can be found here.

The Curtain is Down and the Stage Has Been Struck

The Curtain is Down and the Stage Has Been Struck

Viva La Company

It's Time to go home, so we wish you good luck

Viva La Company.

Viva la viva la viva l'amore

Viva la viva la viva l'amore

Viva l'amore, viva l'amore

Viva La Company.

Each Wednesday through Saturday night, and each Sunday afternoon in July, I'd join the cast of our show and sing this song to end the show. Well, the curtain closed for the last time and the stage was struck last Sunday on my first produced play.

What an extraordinary month it was, as well as the weeks leading up to opening night.

One of the exciting things about the month is seeing how this production could be used to help make people's lives better.

One cast member had been living a "hermit-like" existence for the past few years. It was a big step for this person to be a part of this production, and stretch her wings. She was stretched, but she shared with me today how she knows the hand of God was on her as He led her to this show, and to get to know our family.

Another cast member was struggling with some very tough personal issues, and, unfortunately, was put in jail half way through the month. But, fortunately, this was probably the best thing for him. We pray healing in his life, and restoration.

My husband and I would like to figure out a way to work together, and make money at it. This fulfilled some of that desire this summer. It was amazing to see him take my script and bring things out of it I would have never imagined. I especially enjoyed the dream sequence. The mood he evoked with scenery and lighting was very effective.

He also produced an unbelievable music review. He was able to take the different talents and use them in a very effective way to bring out the best in each of the performers. His use of a ventriliquist doll, and the fact he was able to convince his wife to dress in a cow costume says a lot.

And the fact our three daughers were all a part of the production in different capasities was such a special blessing. The Princess was a perfect Irish singing lass, and her music review performances got better with each performance. Z2 and Kiki Aru put a lot of hard work back stage as our crew, and their work made the production go smoothly each night.

Performing can be heady stuff. Hearing each night you do a good job can be a dangerous thing, and I'm glad I am in my forties so I am hopefully handling it with the grace it deserves. I don't think I could have done that about 20 years ago.

One of the songs I performed during the musical review was a song calls "Feels Like Home". While in rehearsals for this song, it never occured to me the impact this song would have on people. I usually had at least one person each performance come up and let me know how that song moved them. Some people were even moved to tears when they heard the song. I never expected this reaction.

It was fun having people I knew come to the play. I appreciated all my family and friends who came to the special premier. I appreciated family coming from far away just to see the play. PKR and I both appreciated Starr Kelso coming and giving such a nice review of the show. PKR has known him since Starr coached him in high school, and I have become acquainted with him this past year through the blogosphere. We also had Jim Kershner from the SR come to see the play. He is the theater reviewer for the paper. He is writing a story about the theater that should be coming out in the paper soon.

There were some people I wish could have seen it that weren't able to make it. But that happens. Tonight we had our cast party, and shared stories about the show. We were so fortunate to have the cast we did this summer. We so appreciated their attitudes and hard work they put into the show, and getting to know them all. What a blessing they were.

My next plan is to tweak the script again, after performing it for a month, and submit it for publication. We'll see what happens.

Close curtain.

Hangin' Out With Harry

The Princess finished the book last night. It was torture for her to peform in the play last night because she only had a chapter left. Thank goodness for intermission, and breaks backstage, because she was able to finish it last night.

On the ride home from the theater, I began book seven. It is now Thursday morning, and I am on Chapter Seven. But, darn it all, I have to go to work!! But I'll read more this afternoon.

Look forward to discussing later.

We are heading into our last weekend of the play at the Sixth Street Melodrama in Wallace. So if you were planning on seeing it, only four more performances to go!!

I may not write much until I'm done with the book...I don't work tomorrow, so it may be a late night!!

Special Birthday Memories---Thank You Everyone!!!

Today I am enjoying some time on my deck, reflecting on my wonderful birthday yesterday. What a special day.

Last year, I realized that I like to CELEBRATE my birthday each year, surrounded by family and friends. Receiving the cards and gifts are not as important as just being with the people I love.

This year, I had a unique opportunity present itself, and I went for it.

As I have posted before, our whole family is involved in the Sixth Street Melodrama this July. Our official opening night is Thursday, July 5th. We normally would open on Wednesday, but with today being the Fourth of July, the board opted to open on Thursday. Since we would have a dress rehearsal on Tuesday anyway, I asked the theater board if I could have a special "birthday premier" and invite some friends and family and have reduced tickets for the event. I thought this would be a fun way to celebrate the opening of the first play I have written.

They said yes, so about 80 people attended the invitation only birthday premier of "Nightmare at Dream Gulch, or...Wake Me When It's Over", written by me and directed by husband PKR.

What a perfect way to celebrate. The greatest part of the day was having our family give the gift of laughter to a room full of people, letting them forget life for a couple of hours and just have a great time. What a special blessing!!

The picture above is PKR and myself doing a "Farmer and Cow" routine as part of Kelly's Alley Revue. This particular segment received a lot of laughs.

Toward the end, before I do my serious solo of the evening, PKR did a very special birthday surprise, and presented me with some flowers and sang an excerpt from "How To Handle A Woman" from the musical "Camelot". It was so beautiful, and a very special surprise.

So, again, if any of you are in the Silver Valley this July on a Wednesday through Sunday, please come and see the show...but only if you want to have some fun!!

It's SHOWTIME folks!!!!

As you may have noticed, I haven't ventured into the blog world much this past week. The above picture is the main reason I have been missing.

Most of my free time has been taken up preparing for the upcoming July Production of the Sixth Street Melodrama in Wallace, Idaho.

The name of the play is "Nightmare at Dream Gulch, or...Wake Me When It's Over." The whole production is a family affair.

I wrote the script for the play. PKR is directing the play. PKR, The Princess and myself are all acting in the production, and are joined by fellow cast members Vickie Weil, Kyle Pettis and Don Sauer. Z2 and Kiki Aru are our backstage crew.

The play is based on a true story from the Gold Rush in Murray, Idaho, a small town up the North Fork of the Coeur d'Alene River. (About 20 miles from Kellogg.)

The story is about a preacher named Floyd Davis who comes into Murray and spends a few weeks learning about gold mining, then buys his supplies and heads out into the hills around Murray. About six weeks later he returns with gold, and tells a story about having a dream for many nights in a row, telling him if he came to Murray he would find riches. So he came to Murray and followed the landmarks from the dream, and found Dream Gulch, which still actually exists on the outskirts of Murray.

An actual account of this story is found in The Murray Sun, the newspaper published in Murray during that time. I read this story in the book "Beneath These Mountains".

After intermission, the cast then performs Kelly's Alley Revue, a set of musical numbers both funny and serious to entertain the audience.

The theater is located in Wallace, Idaho. The building the theater is located in is one of the oldest buildings in town. It was one of the only wooden buildings to survive the fire of 1910, that came through and destroyed most of the town of Wallace. Most of the other buildings in the town were rebuilt in brick. The theater was also a former bordello, and, if you look up at the pressed tin ceiling in the lobby, you can see original bullet holes from those "historic" days.

Our opening night is Thursday, July 5th, and we perform Wednesday through Sunday through July 29th, with performances on Wednesday through Saturday at 7:30 pm and matinees are at 2 p.m. on Sundays.

If you are looking for some fun entertainment this summer, and want to come to Wallace, I encourage you to come and check us out. I think you will really enjoy yourself.

For more information about the theater, go to www.sixthstreetmelodrama.com.

A Little Bit of This...A Little Bit of That

Here is my dog Peaches. She is a Keeshond. She is very good natured and seems to always have a smile. (Especially when there is cheese around...then she gets crazy cheese eyes.)

Why can't people at work be more like Peaches...it would sure make life less complicated.


Human resource management can suck the life right out of you.


This is the part of my job that isn't that fun. Dealing with employee issues can be a bit draining.


Hearing the complaints and concerns. Talking to all sides. Praying to God for wisdom to handle the situation. Having the meeting.


It just takes time, and energy, and it often can be a productive time, but working up to the meeting can be exhausting.


I hope after our talk she becomes a better employee.


Because that is part of my job. To help our employees work as a team, and for each of them to be successful, productive employees.


And most of the time it works great...but every so often there is a hitch. Today I dealt with one of the hitches. Let's hope progress was made today.

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I also went to the dentist for a check up. He told me my back top tooth on the right hand side was missing part of the tooth. It had chipped off. I'm going in next week to get it fixed. Dentists don't really bother me. I practically fell asleep during my cleaning. I've never needed laughing gas. Just extra novacaine as I grow older, to get my teeth area good and numb.

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I got a call from the editor of the local newspaper today. She is getting married on Saturday, and leaving for her honeymoon, and will be gone for about two weeks. She is a little concerned because she is understaffed. She wondered if I could make some contributions to the paper over the next few weeks. Poor thing. She doesn't need to be worrying about all of this the week of her wedding. I wish Icould help her more, but the last few weeks of school are crammed full of school activities. I will probably try and take pics at the school events, and send her what I can. I wish I could help more.
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I wrote a melodrama at the beginning of the year, and it is being produced by the local theater here in the Silver Valley. PKR is directing it, and he, myself, The Princess and three others will be performing it at the Sixth Street Melodrama this July in Wallace. PKR made the final cast selections today, and we start rehearsals on Monday. The name of the play is "Nightmare at Dream Gulch...or Wake Me When It's Over." It is based on a true story from the Murray Gold Rush I read in the book "Beneath These Mountains." I'll be sharing more on this adventure as it unfolds in the following weeks.
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Tomorrow Kiki Aru's 5th grade class is going to Silverwood Theme Park, and I am chaperoning. I went with the other two daughters, so now it is time to go with my baby girl. Kiki Aru is taking me through lots of endings...the end of Sunnyside Elementary, the last spring music show, and my last Silverwood Field Trip. And I'm sure there will be others.


Well, I'm nodding off as I write this, so maybe I should go to bed.

Goodnight!!

Silver Linings--Sword Fight

PKR and I are currently rehearsing for the upcoming production at the Sixth Street Theater in Wallace called "Madame's Been Murdered, Tea Will Be Late", a British murder mystery comedy. We have been rehearsing since the beginning of January, and have two weeks to go until opening night.

One of the highlights of the play has been the sword fight. My character, Matilda Trent, and PKR's character, Bobby Totter, the nephew of the aunts who own the manor house now turned quaint little inn, find themselves swordfighting to prove if either of them is the murderer. Last night at practice, one of the director's family was present, and you could tell they enjoyed watching the sword fight.

I also enjoy speaking in an English accent during the play. And learning a character. I haven't done a play for many years. I have done some of the musical theater, and a melodrama, but not a play for quite some time. It has been a wonderful experience, and one that comes very naturally for me. I do want to work on more character development in the next two weeks. Karin, one of our directors, who is a professional actress from Los Angelas, gave a great tip. She said to give your character a story, come up with parents, and a life for the character before the play happens, and that helps her develop the character. Very good advice.

If we can just get the timing right on this play, things will fall together. But it seems like we can never get our cast to all be there at the same time. We have our first dress rehearsal on Friday the 23rd, and then another on March 1st with opening night on March 2nd.

If you are in the Silver Valley March 2,3,4,8,9,10,11,16,17,or 18, please call for ticket reservations and come see the production. I believe you will be highly entertained. For more information go to http://www.sixthstreetmelodrama.com.