Laura Teasedale and Ralph Steiner come to Richmond
The white county style church sits firmly on the two-foot thick stonewalls that support the wood frame structure. A century and a half, one hundred and fifty years, the South Durham United Church has endured, welcoming generations of families whose roots are still strong, whose dedication has also endured with results that have kept this country church in shape to this day.
Keeping this mini-history in mind, folks are reminded of the cost of maintenance and upkeep in the 21st century. With less than thirty families now on the registry, the onus is on these determined folk to find the finances necessary each year to ensure this spiritual beacon will continue its role in the community.
"We have a talent show every year, a brunch or two on Sundays, we prepare and sell homemade apple pies. (up till last year, apple pies and tortieres were prepared right here in my kitchen), "explains Sandra Lester, a member on the board of managers and always ready to help wherever needed.
This year, actually, this Friday, Lester along with chief organizers, Merlin and Mary Gunter have come up with a new approach to fund raising.
"With an ageing population, the popularity of country music stars invariably includes names such as Hank Williams and Patsy Cline. So when some of our members talked of a concert they had attended where these two stars were the subject of a musical, biographical play, well, we just knew bringing that show to Richmond to help out our finances would be just the thing."
Teasedale and Steiner already have an enviable reputation as musicians. Steiner, an early master of his guitar, a set designer and woodcrafter by trade, met by chance as they prepared for a show at Theatre Lac Brome. From their first encounter, music was their common denominator with Teasedale talent as a playwright, her own mastery of guitar and country music classics, it didn't take long to come together as a team and feature such stars as Hank Williams and Patsy Cline.
The result is a show called Being Hank and Patsy, written by Laura Teasdale with her on stage star Ralph Steiner, both well known in the Townships for their talent and musical prowess. Performing some of the best known hits of these two popular country music stars whose careers ended tragically much too soon, Teasdale and Steiner will also mix in a little of their own history, a whimsical and witty melange that spotlights their own talents and life story, produced by Path Productions and written by Teasedale, the show spotlights the many talents of these two who will show off their prowess as musicians, songwriters and performers.
The show, Being Hank and Patsy comes to the Richmond Regional High School stage Friday evening with the curtain going up at 7 p.m.