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This weekend, Washington County Theatre (WCT) will present “The Wizard of Oz,” the tale of young Dorothy Gale’s eventful journey to the Emerald City, in its biggest production to date.

Shows are set for August 23 and 24 at 7:30 p.m. and August 24 and 25 at 2:30 p.m. at West Washington High School’s auditorium.

Director Daniel Main said that this production has “an incredibly strong cast” and that many of the adults in the show learned about acting as children in WCT’s Pied Piper Productions. “All of our main cast are very experienced and came up through children’s theatre. We’ve got the cream of the crop here, and I’m really proud of them,” said Main.

Community theatre brings together people who love telling stories on the stage, and cast members say “The Wizard of Oz” is a great show to be a part of. Isabelle Davis, 10, who plays a Munchkin, said the stage adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s book is fun to perform. “There are different things about it that make it unique. There are parts when you think, ‘Oh, no! The bad side’s going to win,’ and then you think, ‘No, the good side’s going to win,’ and it makes everyone get all excited about it,” she explained.

Isabelle’s mother, Amanda Davis, said she herself grew up performing in school productions and appreciates the skills her daughter is able to learn through being onstage. “I think it’s really good for self-confidence and self-esteem, for them to put themselves out there. She’s not as afraid to go do something that’s scary the first time. She’s willing to try things and have fun,” said Davis.

Main agreed that community theatre provides a way to build important skills and form new relationships “for children all the way up to adults,” adding, “in fact, a lot of people I’ve met over the years were individuals brand new to town. They just moved here, and they were looking for a way to get involved in the community and meet people, and this is how they do it and build their main block of friends.”

Mark Carter heads the cast as the Wizard. Dorothy is played by Abbigail Ferguson, who will be a senior this school year at West Washington High School. Straton Thomas plays the Scarecrow, and Ryland Sparkman portrays the Tin Man. The Cowardly Lion is played by Jacob Dufour. Kayla Seybold and Rosie Morehous play the Wicked Witch; McKenna Hedrick and Rachel Dufour play Glinda. Lacey Sample and Lydia Casey portray Auntie Em, and Michael Murphy plays Uncle Henry.

The Munchkins in the show are Emily Bambusch, Mia Bambusch, Brylynn Blair, Ella Blake, Ogie Bundy, Ameliah Camp, Payton, Cole, Sesley Cole, Emrie Collier, Maggie Corp, Blair Dowling, Jax Deckard, Gracie Dunaway, Nkemlee Ebogu, Evalynne Grissom, Catie Haag, Ava Jetter, Luke Lewandowski, Macie Lewandowski, Dawson McKinley, Gracie Morehous, Scarlett Morgan, Brigid Nance, Aubrey Nokes, Barrett Nunley, and Molly Nunley.

Also portraying Munchkins are Isabella Padilla, Emmy Russell, Grayson Russell, Jaxon Russell, Madilyn Russell, Piper Sample, Dahlia Scifres, Etta Scifres, Charlotte Seeley, Kiki Snelling, Adaleah Stevens, Jacobi Stockton, Sorin Strickland, Katie Stroud, Asher Sutherland, Eleanor Sutherland, Jaxtin Tankersly, Madeleine Trauth, Grant Waters, and Eli Wynn.

The Citizens of Oz are Kinlee Asher, Brylee Boso, Phoebe Ferguson, Avey Marshall, Rives Marshall, Callie Robbins, Estin Roop, Wil Sears, Grace Snyder, Langston Sparkman, Julie Stroud, and Alex Wilde. Rebecca McKinley portrays Oz Doorman and Citizen, and Chelsey Murphy will play Guard and Oz Citizen.

Aislynn Compton, Brooks Deaton, Juneau Main, Daniel Miner, Katie Perkins, and Elle Strother will portray Flying Monkeys and Oz Citizens. Avan Ewing, Amelia Hendricks, Hannah Ingram, Evelyn Loughmiller, Owen Stephenson, and Miranda Smith will play Winkies and Citizens of Oz. Finally, Alex Blake, Kara Blake, and Kayla Troutman will portray Haunted Trees and Citizens of Oz.

Charity Main is the Assistant Director. L. Frank Baum’s book was adapted for the stage by Frank Gabrielson, with music and lyrics of the MGM motion picture score by Harold Arlen and E. Y. Harburg. Background music for the production is by Herbert Stothart. WCT is presenting the Muny version of the story by special arrangement with Concord Publishing and Tams-Witmark. All authorized performance materials are also provided by Concord Publishing and Tams-Witmark.

Tickets are $14 (adults) and $12 (students and seniors 65 and older). Those wishing to attend are asked to reserve their seats by texting the date and time of the desired show, as well as the needed number of tickets, to Charity Main at 812-620-3701. Payment will be collected at the door, which will open a half-hour before each show. Audience members will use Door 17 to access the auditorium at West Washington High School in Campbellsburg.

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The Westwood Golf Course will hold the Robbie Henson Memorial Annual Golf Scramble on August 31st. Located in Scottsburg since 1974, this public 9-hole course consists of 6,175 yards with a slope of 117 and is rated at 69.4. Tee time is 9 a.m., and teams must check in at 8:30 a.m. The cost is $200 per team, and there is a $5 Mulligan with a limit of 4 per team. Two contests consist of closest to the pin and longest putt.

The memorial is in memory of Robbie Henson who excelled in cross country and track running. He passed away at the age of 38. The Mission Statement of the Robbie Henson memorial is to provide assistance to locate youth runners with uniforms, shoes, equipment and other needs. Beside the golf scramble, there is also a scholarship and 5K Run/Walk. The $500 scholarship is for seniors attending Austin High School that participated in cross country and have plans to attend college. It is given in memory of Henson who was a son, brother and father, and it was started by his mother and step-father, Don Campbell. The golf scramble is always the Saturday before Labor Day, and the 5K run, which drew 180 runners this year, is always held the Saturday before Memorial Day.

For more information, contact Eric Campbell at (812) 595-0510, Tom Wolhoff at (502) 435-2597 or Don Campbell at (812) 595-7605.

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Who doesn’t like a free t-shirt? Especially when it’s supporting their favorite high school team colors. 

In hopes of helping county schools celebrate school spirit and have fun at games, Lincks Clothing and Shoes will be donating 10 free school shirts to each of the county high schools during home games this football season. 

“We did this before Covid and there was so much excitement from the fans!” said owner Rita Lincks. “I want to bring back that excitement and raise school spirit and hopefully add a smile to someone’s day!”

Lincks said when her sons played sports, the cheerleaders were always doing something fun for the cheer block and it boosted school spirit.

“So when we did the shirts everyone loved them!”

The shirts will be Lincks shirts in school colors.

“We are excited for this opportunity and wish the best of luck to all our county teams!”

Located at 15 Public Square, Salem, Indiana, Lincks is a local business that supports the schools in numerous ways throughout the school year with fundraisers, post season games and more. This is just another way for them to show their support to the local schools.

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Everyone is invited to attend a free viewing of Disney and Pixar's film "Elemental" on Friday, August 16, at 8 p.m. at Field 4 of the Salem Community Park. The park is located at 1104 E. Hackberry St., Salem. 

The event will include free admission, free popcorn, a bounce
house, concessions provided by Salem Parks and Recreation, and much more.

The film is set in Element City, where residents who are elements of nature, Fire, Water, Land and Air,  live together.

This Substance Free Alternative Event is sponsored by the Washington County Family YMCA and Salem Parks and Recreation Department.