Places to go and things to see by Gypsy Bev

Posts tagged ‘pritchard laughlin civic center’

Sherlock Holmes Murder Mystery Weekend

Who-dun-it? Use your sleuthing skills to discover the guilty party. The game is afoot!

Sherlock Holmes Murder Mystery Weekend returns to Cambridge Ohio November 7-8. This year’s “Sherlock Holmes and Problem of the Two-Faced Spector” is the 9th Holmes inspired play cleverly written by local playwright, Anne Chlovechok.

Fictional Detective Sherlock Holmes is well known for his ability to solve mysteries with the help of his partner, Dr. John Watson. Holmes is famous for his logical reasoning and drawing conclusions from minute details that others miss. Watson is his intelligent loyal friend and assistant, who doesn’t have the ability to see the fine points.

The idea for a Sherlock Holmes Weekend developed from a school assignment given to Janine Bock’s daughter, LeeAnn, by Mary Ann Wilson at St. Benedict in 2003. She was to do a report on “The Hound of the Baskervilles” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Turned out that Janine got hooked on Sherlock Holmes and read all the stories about him. She even got her husband interested.

Jim and Janine Bock visited Cape May’s Sherlock Holmes Weekend.

Before you know it, Jim and Janine Bock were headed to Cape May, New Jersey in 2008 for a Sherlock Holmes Weekend. They stayed in a beautiful Victorian hotel and dressed in Victorian fashion.

When they returned to Cambridge, the Dickens Victorian scenes were appearing along Wheeling Avenue. The Sherlock Holmes sagas take place in Victorian times about the same time as tales of Charles Dickens plus there were many beautiful Victorian buildings downtown. Janine told Jim and LeeAnn. “I think we can do a Sherlock Holmes Weekend here in Cambridge.”

This has been the logo for Sherlock Holmes Weekend from the very start.

On the way home, Janine called Anne Chlovechok, a newspaper reporter, and was telling her about the exciting weekend. “Anne, you should write a play about Sherlock Holmes.”

Anne had never written a play before, so this was a surprise. After careful consideration, the two of them began planning for a January production with help from friends at Cape May.

At that time, St. Benedict was needing a fundraiser to send their junior high students to Washington, D.C. every other year for a field trip. The parents all chipped in to help. Some were actors in the play, others worked on scenery, and several prepared the food for the guests. That first play, “Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Taylor Tontine,” took place in St. Benedict’s Social Hall in 2010. An enthusiastic group had been organized.

Debbie Robinson and Sister Theresa helped with publicity back in 2009.

Publicity became an important issue and Debbie Robinson from the VCB and Fran Taylor from Main Street were asked to help get the word out. Jonett Haberfield at Taste of Ohio helped by setting up a place to buy tickets on her website. Gift bags were organized. That first year 36 people decided to become sleuths.

This was the cast for the first show in 2010, “Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Taylor Tontine.”

During the second year of the Sherlock Holmes Weekend, they decided to perform all three acts for the public at CPAC. The venue was switched from St. Benedict to CPAC for the entire weekend in 2019 and in 2020 to Pritchard-Laughlin Civic Center, where is it still held today.

Throughout the years, many of the same people have been involved in the production. Of course, Anne Chlovechok and Janine Bock work in some capacity every year, with Anne writing and directing all the shows, and Janine producing. Katrina Mazaher, Jeff Ricketts, and Dick Wayt were also part of all eight shows. Debbie Robinson still does their publicity. Mitch Mazaher was Sherlock Holmes that first year and will be performing that same role this year in “Sherlock Holmes and Problem of the Two-Faced Spector.”

Former Chief of Police Dick Wayt played the role of Watson in eight of the performances.

When Anne was questioned about how she gets the ideas for the plays she writes, she responded, “Often I get an idea during the show when something happens or someone makes a comment. I write lines to fit the person playing the part and always like to add a little humor.”

The Sherlock Holmes Nutcracker was on display from Steubenville Nutcracker Village.

Each year, the game’s afoot when Act I takes place on Friday evening so participants can meet all the characters who will entertain them for the weekend. Guests enjoy mingling and meeting the playwright with heavy hors d’oeuvres, desserts, coffee, and teas. Cash bar is available. It’s a great time to begin forming theories as they search the Clue Sheet with a map showing the location of all the clues.

Cast views the dead body in the 2017 show, “Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Christmas Carbuncle.”

Saturday morning brings more drama and a hearty brunch with Act II. In the afternoon, time is spent chasing clues in downtown Cambridge visiting historic Victorian homes, businesses and the Dickens characters themselves. Sleuths may encounter Holmes and Watson on their quest for clues as they enjoy a self-guided tour. Clue Sheets are completed during the tour as each person develops their own theories. The Clue Sheets are turned in for grading before Act III, where the answers to all questions will be revealed.

Mystery is solved! After Act III on Saturday evening enjoy an assortment of desserts, coffee, and teas. One lucky detective will walk away with the grand prize of $250. A prize is awarded for the best Victorian costume and for those who have traveled the farthest. There’s even a prize for “The Clueless Wonder,” who didn’t have many good answers on their Clue Sheet.

Pictured is the cast from the 2023 show, “Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Candy Cane Codicil.”

This year “Sherlock Holmes and the Problem of the Two-Faced Specter” will be presented at Pritchard-Laughlin Civic Center on November 7-8 for those striving to be top-notch detectives and solve the mystery of who-dun-it.

Tickets are available for the Sherlock Holmes Murder Mystery Weekend at VisitGuernseyCounty.com under Events, Sherlock Holmes. Last year nearly 60 people enjoyed the role of detective.

If you want to see the entire play the following weekend, Friday and Saturday, November 14 and 15 at 7 pm, or on Sunday, November 16 at 3 pm, call Pritchard-Laughlin Civic Center at 740-439-7009. Tickets will be available at the door.

Mitch Mazaher portrayed Sherlock Holmes in the first presentation and will again take that role this year.

Put on your detective hat to discover why Holmes and Watson have been called from London to Cambridge to find out why the Cambridge Police Chief has been acting very strangely. Bring a friend, a magnifying glass, and a heightened sense of deduction to the Pritchard Laughlin Civic Center to uncover the mystery.

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Cambridge, Just for Fun, Ohio

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Hopalong Cassidy Festival in Cambridge Comes to an End

Vendors from all over the United States displayed their western wares.

Vendors from all over the United States displayed their western wares.

Hoppy and his horse greeted visitors to the 25th Hopalong Cassidy Festival.

Hoppy and his horse greeted visitors to the 25th Hopalong Cassidy Festival.

“Have a Hoppy Day!”

Old friends and familiar faces congregated May 1-3, 2015  to honor the last Hopalong Cassidy Festival. Started in 1991, this year marked the 25th Anniversary and the final year for the festival. But the enthusiasm did not end even though participants knew the end was in sight.

William “Hopalong Cassidy” Boyd grew up in the Cambridge area where he attended Park School and the Second Presbyterian Church. The Silver Anniversary of the festival celebration took place at Pritchard Laughlin Civic Center near Cambridge, Ohio.

This little cowgirl enjoyed the day.

This little cowgirl enjoyed the day.

Laura Bates, founder, has been the driving force of the Hopalong Cassidy Festival all 25 years. Laura became good friends with Grace, Hoppy’s wife, and Laura’s knowledge and collection of Hoppy memorabilia grew and grew. When Laura speaks of those dedicated followers who attended year after year, she fondly calls them “faithful buckaroos”.

Getting a festival together requires lots of hard work. Making the connections with nearly a hundred vendors in itself would take a lot of time. Add to that the necessity to connect with old western stars and you can see how overwhelming the task would be. Besides, the general public today does not have the intense interest about those old westerns as those who grew up watching them.

Look-a-likes John Wayne, enjoy visiting with the crowd.

Look-a-likes John Wayne, Lash LaRue, and Bob Steele enjoy visiting with the crowd.

Old friends, who dressed as look-a-likes, enjoyed posing together. John Wayne, Lash LaRue, and Bob Steele definitely looked their part. Most people were selling pictures, but some were giving them away. Vendors set up tables selling all kinds of Western and cowboy items.

LaRue and his wife got married in the same church where Hoppy used to attend in Cambridge.

Francis Reeves and his wife got married in the same church Hoppy attended in Cambridge.

Most participants come across as common ordinary folks, who enjoyed talking about their life and connection to Hopalong Cassidy. One interesting gentleman, Francis Reeves, had won six Hoppy look-alike contests over the years. His initial contact came through Fred Scott, who sent a card to him telling him about the festival.

Twenty years ago Francis married his wife in Cambridge at the Second Presbyterian Church, the same church Hoppy attended. At 85 years old, Francis is still muscle bound and full of energy. When asked about the end of the festival, Francis remarked, “Everything comes to an end.” He looks forward to better things ahead.

Scruffy and Laura Bates give a final farewell.

Fuzzy and Laura Bates, founder, give a final farewell.

25th Anniversary tee shirt designed to honor Laura Bates.

25th Anniversary tee shirt designed to honor Laura Bates.

Fuzzy of American Westerns designed the logo for the festival. This year he designed a special tee shirt for the 25th anniversary. He included a picture of Laura Bates on that tee, as a special surprise to her. But like many, Fuzzy travels around the country with his acts and displays, covering seventeen different states.

Hoppy plans for the future include a bronze statue of Hopalong Cassidy in Cambridge, Ohio. The Hopalong Cassidy Museum will still contain Laura’s collection and she will probably stop by and charm visitors with her stories.

Everyone remained in good spirits even when the festival came to a close. One cowgirl said she would continue at other festivals in this part of the country.”I’ve been horsing around all my life,” she quipped, “and not ready to stop.”

Category:

Festivals, Ohio

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Mysterious Bigfoot Legend – Skeptic or Believer?

“Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.” This quote from distinguished astronomer, Dr Carl Sagan, is popular with Bigfoot investigators. They are still searching for more clues that will prove their Bigfoot theory.

Guernsey County, Ohio is one of those “hot spots” for Bigfoot investigators.  Annually, the Ohio Bigfoot Conference gathers informative speakers to share their adventures with the gathering crowd.  The 2012 conference was held at Pritchard Laughlin Civic Center near Cambridge, Ohio after previously being held at Newcomerstown and then Salt Fork Lodge. The move was partially made to accommodate the growing attendance as last year at Salt Fork they overflowed the conference room and many were  forced to watch the program on big screen TVs in the lobby.  The Bigfoot enthusiasts have increased from less than a hundred in 1989 to over seven hundred at present.

The goal of the Ohio Bigfoot Organization is to find, recognize, and protect what many believe to be an unclassified primate, commonly known as Bigfoot, and residing in North America.

A highlight of the meeting this year was the appearance of legendary Bigfoot seeker, Peter Byrne, who fascinated visitors in the lobby with his Bigfoot stories. Peter, the star of the show, has led professional expeditions in search of Yeti and Bigfoot.  His book, The Search for Bigfoot, tells of his fascinating life exploring since 1946 in the Himalayas for Yeti, the Himalayan version of Bigfoot.  Even though he is 86 years old, Peter still has a curious mind and continues his search for Bigfoot on the Oregon Coast.

Before the scheduled speakers, curious visitors checked out tables in the lobby with lots of unusual items. Of course, there were videos of possible sightings as well as plaster casts of large footprints left behind by something or someone. Lengths of these footprints average about 16″ long, but some range up to 22″, and are much wider than a human footprint.

Soaps and lotions carried the name Sasquatch, the Canadian Bigfoot rendition. One popular soap made in Canada bore the title Sasquatch Sweat Soap – Guaranteed not to grow hair. Sasquatch Sweat Cream was also available. Not certain if their purpose was to repel or attract Bigfoot.   There were even cookies for sale shaped like…yes, you guessed it, Bigfoot.

The first speaker of the day was past president, Don Keating, who led this conference for 23 years. He first heard of Bigfoot in 1984 from a story in the Newcomerstown News that told of strange sightings of a large, hairy creature in and around the Newcomerstown area. Later Don began investigating some of the unusual sightings he heard from neighboring Guernsey County as well – glowing red eyes, large footprints, and very tall creatures.

Salt Fork Lake area became one of those places where frequent strange events seemed to occur. Often something eerie seemed to be happening at Hosak’s Cave in the late evening hours, especially when there was a full moon.  For their safety, people were even strongly advised to leave the area by park rangers.

When Don Keating said he was leaving his president’s position to devote more time to his weather research, someone in the audience asked an interesting question: “Do you find predicting the weather a lot like investigating Bigfoot?” To which Don answered, “With both, you put your neck on the line.”

Grabbed a Bigfoot cookie to munch while listening to additional speakers which included: Dr John Bindernagel, wildlife biologist; Bill Draginis, surveillance and security expert; and Mike Esordi, crypto zoologist with artistic abilities. All are active in Bigfoot research and frequently share their knowledge through lectures around the world.

Whether you believe in the existence of Bigfoot or not, you could hear some interesting adventures at the conference. Maybe some evening you will want to spend the night at Salt Fork State Park. If you listen carefully, you might hear strange calls, branches breaking in the woods, or rocks being thrown into the lake. Could these sounds be made by Bigfoot?  Keep your eyes and ears open!

Salt Fork State Park is located just five miles north of Cambridge, Ohio just off Route 22. I-70 and I-77 intersect close by so you will have easy access to the area.  While in town, stop at Mr. Lee’s or Theo’s Restaurant as both have delicious home cooked meals at reasonable prices.

Category:

Back Roads, Cambridge, Ohio, Organizations, Uncategorized

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