Dinner theater benefits August Fest

Terry Sandusky, Special to The County
3 weeks ago
Residents of the “Spud Shufflers Retirement Home” discuss the featured speaker during the play “Almost Murder,” held March 24 to benefit the Washburn August Festival. Players included, from left, Brandy (Donna Turner), Cybil Cooper Douglas (Sue Brown), George Douglas (Keith Brown), Blanche Douglas Fox (Yvonne Tardie), Pamela Cooper Smith (Laurie Wark), Audrey Cooper (Sarah Diette) and Traci Douglas Arnold (Annelise Wardwell). Behind them are caregivers (Brenda Devoe and Cheryl Sperrey). (Courtesy of Terry Sandusky)

The Washburn August Festival’s murder mystery dinner theater production on March 24 was a huge success.  

Despite being postponed a day due to weather, more than 160 guests attended, along with a group of 40 servers and actors. Local chef Rob Ottavianno prepared a tasty dinner which was served by volunteer student servers.  

Following dinner, a dessert auction of many sweet treats was held to raise needed funds for the Washburn August Festival.  The auctioneer was local winter transplant from North Carolina, Randy Lee, with his able assistant Steve Dobson.  

A successful Washburn August Festival fundraising auction was held March 24, led by Randy Lee (left), auctioneer, and Steve Dobson. Bidders had the opportunity to buy homemade dessert and support the festival. Bidders offered $60 to $80 for pies, up to $200 for cakes and even $50 each for whoopie pies.
(Courtesy of Terry Sandusky)

Lee is a well-known hot air balloon owner and pilot who has been flying his balloon in the Crown of Maine Balloon Fest in Presque Isle for more than a decade.  He is the opposite of a “snow bird,” as he comes north to sled through the winter before returning to North Carolina for spring, summer and fall.  

Lee is an experienced auctioneer who knows how to entertain as well as how to draw out the bidders during an auction.  The auction was a tremendous success.

After the auction, a local cast of residents performed the one-act play “Almost Murder,” a comedic mystery which drew many laughs and much applause.  

The Washburn August Festival Committee was pleased with the success of the play and all the fundraising. They wish to thank all who came for this evening of good food, fun and entertainment in support of the festival.  

The group extended thanks to Lee, Dobson, Ottavianno and kitchen crew of volunteers; Abby and Anna Diette for their table décor; Isabelle Allen and Maddie Johnston for their student waiters and waitresses; and Finley Turner for lining up the cleaning crew.

Thanks also went to the local Washburn stars and crew who worked hard to make the play fun and entertaining for all.  The cast included Londa Brown, Keith Brown, Sue Brown, Donna Turner, Laurie Wark, Sarah Diette, Annalise Wardwell, Yvonne Tardie, Larry Harrison, Andy Turner, Nate and Mary Allen, Cindy Richendollar, Eddie Jarrell, Larry Bull, Brenda Devoe, Cheryl Sperry, Prudy Dobson, Greg Page, Ashli Bisson, Lavina Corey and Mary Easler.  

Washburn Rotary Club members filled many of the acting roles and participated in stage design and construction.