WHAT’S NEW IN SPRINGFIELD, NE
July 2, 2008
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY
There’s no need to travel far…Get your fireworks in Springfield! Five fireworks stands offer a vast array of opportunities to purchase all you need for a brilliant display for this year’s Independence Day celebration this upcoming Friday. Please remember to use common sense regarding fireworks. Follow all safety precautions to ensure a safe and Happy July4th.
A musical adaption of “Miss Nelson Has a Field Day” was brilliantly performed by fourth, fifth and sixth grade Springfield area students on June 27th at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Springfield Elementary teacher, Ms. Connery directed this group of talented young actors and actresses. The performance was highlighted with comedy, action, and superb singing ability. Congratulations to the cast and crew for a job well done.
Has our weather taken a turn for the worse? Fortunately, Springfield was spared last Friday from devastating winds and hail that hit nearby communities. We offer our thoughts and prayers to our neighbors who were affected by this storm and the destructive weather that has impacted many areas in the Midwest.
July 7 - Summer Reading Programs at Springfield Memorial Library with Preschool Storytime at 9:30am and the elementary age program at 1pm. This week’s program: The Incredible Insect trunk from Fontenelle Nature Association.
July 8, 12pm - Senior Brown Bag Lunch at th July 21-July 24, 6:00-8:30pm. Bring your sandwich and the library will provide salad, dessert and beverages.
July 27-29 6:00 PM -8:30 PM Springfield Soccer Camp with Creighton University coaches and players. For more information on both camps log onto: http://springfieldnebraska.com/http:\\ssap.org
July 21, 1pm – Musician Chris Sayre will be performing at Springfield Memorial Library. This program will end the season for the Summer Reading program. The public is welcome to attend. The Nebraska Humanities Council provided a grant for this performance.
This week at Springfield’s premiere winery, Soaring Wings Vineyard:Friday Night Music Series, 7pm: The Swampboys ($5 admission)
Acoustic Sunday, 2-5pm: Tim Koehn Old Favorites (free admission)
For more information: www.soaringwingswine.com
The last time the Lofte Community Theatre performed Rogers' and Hammerstein's "The Sound of Music," gasoline was around $1.50 a gallon. The year was 1985 and the "Born-in-a-Barn Players" were still housed in a converted barn free from amenities like air conditioning and running water.
After a twenty-three year hiatus, Director Kevin Colbert was ready to revisit the world's most beloved musical. "I'm really excited about making this version an even bigger production than what we were able to provide last time," said Mr. Colbert. Indeed, the Lofte's new performance space offers the cast and crew wing space, dressing rooms, and a stage twice as large as the one at the old Lofte. Plenty of room to allow for grander sets and added depth to make the audience really feel as if they were transported to the Austrian Alps.
The story behind "The Sound of Music," is loosely based upon the book, "The Story of the Trapp Family Singers," written by Maria von Trapp and published in 1949. The Rogers and Hammerstein stage version tells a romanticized and shortened story where Maria (serving as a governess) and the Captain fall in love during the days just prior to Hitler's anschluss of Austria in 1938. The version as told by Maria von Trapp in her book states that the two actually married in 1927, several years before Hitler's rise to power. There were also 10 von Trapp children instead of just 7 as portrayed in the movie, and together, Maria and Georg had 3 of their own.
Principal actors in the Lofte's production include Jenniger Gilg of Omaha as Maria, Greg Leger of Omaha as the Captain, Janet Sorensen of Elmwood as Mother Abbess and Samantha Colbert of Weeping Water as Liesl. Other members of the cast include Brenda Jones, Jordyn Marcoe, Kara Habrock and Maylea Bauers all of Louisville; Cynthia Sheldon, Jeff Johnston, Kabrianna Mumford, Tim Sorensen, Jill McLaughlin and Lizzy Pegler all of Elmwood; Eileen Moser, Kevin Colbert and Jean Colbert all of Weeping Water; Lucy Myrtue of Murray; and Katie Schmitt of Murdock
Performance dates are July 18-20, 24-27, 31, and August 1-3. Curtain times are at 7:30pm except for Sundays which are 2pm matinees. All tickets are $15 and reservations can be made by calling the Lofte box office at (402)234-2553 or visiting the Lofte website, www.Lofte.com.
Several dates are very nearly sold out already so early reservations are strongly encouraged.
“That’s Matt Bailey of Springfield, NE”
The Fourth of July was duly celebrated in Springfield in A.D. 1884. There was a barbecue, roast pig and roast ox. Sam Startzer was head chef assisted by Lew Nichols, E. E. Baldwin and John Hoover.
They held forth all night and by 11:30 a.m. July 4th the roasts were all done, brown and juicy and tender and ready to be served to the 1000 or more visitors who made up the crowd.
-Reference: Springfield, Nebraska At Its Source 1882-1982