By Barbara ScottStaff Writer
“Phil didn’t say, ‘Would you like to do this,” grinned Lynn Josselyn, “ he said, ‘you are going to do this’.” Her comment was in regard to this weekend’s presentation of the Sesquicentennial Historical Play Pageant, “H I to Caribou,” written by Dr. Phil Turner, local published author and historian and directed by Lynn Josselyn.
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb ScottDr. Phil Turner, local published author, wrote Caribou’s Sesquicentennial Historical Play Pageant, “H I to Caribou.” Historian Lynn Josselyn will be directing the production.
“H I to Caribou,” will be presented Saturday evening, Aug. 29 at 7:30 p.m. at the Caribou Performing Arts Center and again on Sunday, Aug. 30 at 3 p.m.
While observing the wide spectrum of community actors and actresses who will appear in the pageant it was very evident that each one of them(a cast of more than 40) were truly engaged in their assumed identities. As they posed for photos in their period garb, an energy filled the basement of the Gray Memorial United Methodist Church, further strengthening the onlooker’s conviction that these local residents were truly excited to be a part of this historical production.
Turner’s script follows the history of the city of Caribou from before 1859 through to the present day. The brief scenes depicting colorful history as well as characters features familiar names and events along with plenty of interesting and possibly unknown facts relating to the development of Caribou.
• August 19, 1841 when, for election purposes township lettered D, Plymouth Grant, Eaton Grant and H were organized. This was legalized in 1854. (Alexander Cochran came to the area in 1829).
• April 24, 1848, saw townships H and I organized for election purposes.
• April 5, 1859, Plantation H became Lyndon.
• February 12, 1869, Lyndon annexed Sheridan, Forestville and Eaton Grant.
• February 26, 1869, Lyndon became Caribou.
• March 9, 1869, Caribou became Lyndon once again.
• February 8, 1877, Lyndon was once again Caribou.
• Trivia: The nearest town with the name Lyndon is in Vermont. No Lyndons lived in Maine before Plantation H became Lyndon.
According to the playwright, data collected by Mrs. Leroy Snowman and George Whitneck was used to write this pageant. Dr. Turner also expressed his thanks to the staff at the Caribou Public Library for helping him to seek out the important events of Caribou’s history by providing copies of the Aroostook Republican from that period.
“I don’t take the real liberty with Phil’s writing,” said Josselyn. “But she doesn’t hesitate to suggest that something be changed,” laughed Dr. Turner.
“This play is based on things that really happened,” stated Turner, “I just took a few liberties here and there to make things more interesting. A historical play — nobody reads plays — except maybe those by Shakespeare, because plays are just dead words.”
“But,” added Josselyn, “through costumes and music and the spoken words, the event comes alive.”
Noting that the actors, many who are simply walk-on cast, while others have a few lines to speak, as the play features narrators, the playwright and the director agreed that the Sesquicentennial Play Pageant, “H I to Caribou,” is being performed by a whole spectrum of individuals, some with acting experiences, some without and some who haven’t been on a stage since their high school years.
One of the highlights of the event is the promise of a song by a group of ladies who make up the Women’s Temperance Choir.
“And don’t forget,” laughed Dr. Turner, “There will be cake and ice cream — after all it is a birthday party.
Other plays written by Turner and directed by Josselyn include; “Rebel Redeemed,” “Bessie,” “New Day Dawning,,” and their most recent production of “A Tea in Heaven.”
Tickets for the performance are $5 and are available at the Caribou Public Library, Caribou One-Stop, Caribou Food Trend, Sleepers, from anyone involved with the production or at the door.
It’s Caribou’s 1150th birthday — Be a part of it!
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
Cast members of, “H I to Caribou,” Caribou’s historical play, exclaim at the selection of hats available at the “millinery shop.” From left, are Sue Stedt, Gail Langley, Debbie Sirois, Wendy Bossie and Phyllis Belanger.
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
With a cast of more than 40 community thespians, Dr. Phil Turner’s play, “H I to Caribou,” will be presented Aug. 29 at 7:30 p.m. at the Caribou Performing Arts Center and again Sunday, Aug. 30 at 3 p.m. Lynn Josselyn is the group’s director.
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
Dressed in their period clothing, these ladies make up the,” Women’s Temperance Choir,” a part of
“H I to Caribou,” to be presented this weekend, Aug. 29-30.
