Gypsy Road Trip

Pop the champagne! Throw the confetti! Fifty years have gone by as fast as a spring breeze. We have experienced a terrorist attack, the birth of the internet, cell phones, and a global pandemic. Now it’s time to celebrate the 50^th Golden Anniversary Cambridge Lions Club Music and Comedy Show on March 19, 20, and 21 at 7:30 in Pritchard Laughlin Civic Center. You’re sure to enjoy an evening filled with music, and laughter for only $10 a ticket. Good times never seemed so good.

The show began in 1974 when the Lion’s Club made a substantial pledge to Guernsey Memorial Hospital for the construction of a new patient tower. There was only one concern. How could they raise the money to meet their pledge? A long-time fund raiser of selling light bulbs door to door was no longer fruitful.

Robert Jonard, “The Father of the Cambridge Minstrel Show”, had just relocated with General Telephone to Cambridge from Warsaw, Ohio. The Warsaw Lions Club had been hosting an annual Minstrel Show for several years. What was a Minstrel? Bob explained it was a group of entertainers who performed songs, dances and comic routines.

This opportunity became a hot topic of debate in the club. Several leaders were adamant it would never work. Bob found a listening ear in Ron Guthrie. Soon J.O. and Frances Mehaffey became strong supporters with J.O. helping with antics like his “Ode to the Outhouse,” while Frances did make-up, special wigs, and choreography. This team put together the first show after many nights around a kitchen table. It was simply called A Minstrel Show.

Where would the talent come from this group of Lions? Bob found it by taking Lion members out of their comfort personalities and having them perform. Some sang or told jokes while others took part in some hijinks. Many familiar faces appeared in that first two-day event at the State Theater. They included Jim Caldwell, Bill Channel, Bob Jonard, Andre Odebrecht, Commissioner J.O. Mehaffey, Judge Henderson, Wayne McCracken, Harold Knouff, Howard Cherry, Bill Lilienthal, Jack Taylor and yes – Ron Guthrie.

Two of the young men in that first show have appeared in all 50 shows. Ron Guthrie and Dave Wilson are dedicated Lions and add fun to the shows.

Ron Guthrie at the age of 90 is “King of the Front Line” by telling jokes (some good and some bad) and singing solos or duets. Ron has been an Endman for 44 years and was Interlocutor for three shows. In those early days, his State Farm Insurance office was a primary outlet for tickets to the show.

Dave Wilson was one of those young people just out of high school and part of the Faith Methodist Church High School chorus. They led the musical portion of the show. Sheryl Eynon and John Voorhies were also part of that group that appeared in the first show and are back performing again. Many remember Dave as being the voice of AVC before he became a County Commissioner. He has been an Endman for 44 years, an interlocutor one year, and the powerful voice that closes the show.

While funny jokes and skits filled the State Theater during that first show, music was still the main feature and still is today. At that time, the chorus only had a mimeographed copy of the music and made up their own harmony. Some of the songs included A Bird in a Gilded Cage, Daddy Sang Bass, Sweet Gypsy Rose, and Mammy.

The Flappers danced their ways into people’s hearts with the Charleston and the then popular Ballin’ the Jack. Over the years, the can-can, black light dance specials, tap dancing, and line dancing have entertained the crowd. You never know what to expect at a Lions Club Show.

Then and now, the Endmen and Interruptions provide laughter with their own brand of humor and often dress in outrageous costumes as well. No shots are barred as they are aimed at local politicians, business people, and innocent members of the audience. People still remember State Patrolmen Bob Bistor and “Chicken George” Ed Barborak doing “Who’s On First?”

The Interruptions Crew, composed of Kim Conrath, Steve Gierhart, Mike Carpenter, Mike Edwards, Matt Dolan and Jon Hudon for many years, did just that. They interrupted the show with skits like Paper Dance, Olympic Swimmers, Rubber Balloons, and Mike Edwards doing the news. All brought laughter from the audience.

Over the years the show themes moved from a Dixieland style repertoire to music that blended with changing crowds. In 2005, to become politically correct, the show was rebranded as a Variety show. Three years later it became what it is known by today as the Music and Comedy Show.

Now the focus for the Cambridge Lions Club is to help the blind and visually impaired. These Knights for Sight use all the proceeds from the show to purchase eye glasses and needed eye treatments to area individuals. Because of the great support from the community through attendance or community sponsorships, over $600,000 has been raised to provide care for those who need eye exams, eye glasses, diabetic supplies, and more. Your ticket purchase goes for a great cause.

Get your tickets for this special 50th Golden Anniversary Show to be performed at Pritchard-Laughlin Civic Center on March 19, 20, 21 at 7:30 each evening. Tickets can be purchased online or at the Civic Center, saved for pick up, or saved at the “Will Call” window. Call 740-439-7009 for ticket information.

Many of the songs will be so familiar you will want to sing along. The show features director Karen Boyer with John Voorhies arranging the music. Most will recall songs like Country Roads Take Me Home, Sweet Caroline, and Life is a Highway.

Get ready to enjoy an evening filled with familiar songs, lots of laughter and some surprises along the way as you Hear Those Lions Roar.