Musical theatre camp

Lots of laughter and applause filled the historic Cathlamet Pioneer Center on Friday night, July 12. After participating in Cathlamet's first week-long "Summer Musical Theater Camp", ten young local thespians entertained family and friends with an original production, "Shel Silverstein: Poems & A Song". It was by any measure, a smashing success!

Under the enthusiastic direction of Joe Baker, Delee Baker and Lorene VanderWalker, the talented Cast Members shared witty poems and delighted the crowd with their choreographed take on "The Unicorn Song". This song was a hit in 1968 when it was released by the Canadian Folk Band, The Irish Rovers. Based on the number of people singing along, it wasn't the first time they had heard about green alligators and long necked geese and some humpty-backed camels and some chimpanzees.

The Pioneer Community Association (PCA) was formed to preserve and maintain the historic Cathlamet Pioneer Center for community use as a cultural arts and performance center. More than once in the past two decades, as efforts were underway to save the deteriorating, 129 year old "Pioneer Church". We have had people say, "why bother?" or "what for?" This performance was the perfect answer. For our youth, for our community, for inspiration, creativity, vision and imagination, that's who for and why we bother.

The Board of Directors of the PCA extend a huge and heartfelt "Thank You" to Joe Baker & Company for producing this opportunity for youth in our community and look forward to partnering with him for future creative endeavors. We are thankful that he retired to Cathlamet and brought more than 40 years of experience in theater management with him. Stay tuned, rumor has it he may have something up his sleeve for Christmas.

Suzanne Holmes