8A | WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2019 | SIUSLAW NEWS
Playhouse from page 1A
Henry was one of 10 chil-
dren and eventually began a
ministry in 1935. In 1943 he
became the parish pastor of
what later became affiliated
with the Assemblies of God
Church.
In 1946, a motion was
made by the church board
to purchase the property
at First and Laurel streets
in Florence for $5,000 and
build their own church.
Rose was actively em-
ployed in the logging indus-
try at the time and not only
put his personal savings
into the construction of the
church, but did the great-
er part of the construction
work on the project himself.
Not many buildings in
Florence incorporated base-
ments built into the sand,
but the new church did
and used the space for its
youth Bible study classes.
The design called for the
secretary’s office to be locat-
ed on the south side of the
building and for the pastor’s
office and basement to be
accessible on the north side
adjacent to the parking area.
An elevated stage for ser-
vices was constructed be-
tween the two spaces.
Rose served as the first
pastor in the new building
from its beginning in 1948
until his untimely death in
1951 from a car accident.
A succession of ministers
followed with an ever-grow-
ing congregation. In March
1966, construction began
on a new Assemblies of God
Church at 10th and Maple
streets, occupying an entire
city block, and in November
the church moved to its new
location. The church there is
now known as Cross Road
Assembly of God.
Sisters Nancy Johnson
and Sally Peterson were fel-
low church members who
bought the building after
the congregation moved.
Having experienced success
selling fabric to fundraise
for the church, they opened
NanSal’s Fabric Store. They
did a bustling business sell-
ing everything from sewing
machines to quilt kits.
When the sisters even-
tually decided to retire, the
building was sold and leased
out to Lane Community
College for use as a dance
studio, and later it was lined
with cubicles and people
selling aircraft parts inter-
nationally.
Meanwhile, Flaherty re-
ceived a degree in econom-
ics from Cal State Los An-
geles but felt drawn to the
theater. Shortly thereafter,
he enrolled in an acting pro-
gram in Los Angeles. Upon
completing the program, he
traveled 1,000 miles north
to the University of Ore-
gon, where he completed a
master’s degree in theater
in 1971 and headed for New
York.
Over the next three years,
he learned about life in pro-
fessional theater. However,
the pull of life on the West
Coast brought him back to
the University of Oregon,
where he earned a second
master’s in counseling psy-
chology. Upon completion
of that program, he was
hired by Lane County Juve-
nile Court and for the next
20 years he worked as a ju-
venile court counselor.
In 1995, Flaherty retired
and decided to move to
Florence.
Beginning in the late
1960s, the town had an eco-
nomic transition from the
timber, mining and fishing
industries toward tourism
and the eventual growth of
retirement living. And what
a pool of talent there was
here!
Once again being drawn
to the energy of the theater
community, Flaherty re-
sumed his acting with the
Florence Repertory Theatre.
Because the newer and more
modern Florence Events
Center was oftentimes be-
yond their fiscal abilities,
the repertory group began
looking around for an alter-
native. The former church
on Laurel Street became
available and was just the
place.
When Flaherty found the
space in 2004, he spent over
a year-and-a-half remod-
eling to fulfill his dream
of hosting workshops and
affordable theater presenta-
tions. He enlarged the stage,
added a proscenium, re-
modeled below and created
restrooms in the front.
The basement now pro-
vides space for everything
a small-town theater needs
— a utility room for build-
ing sets, dressing rooms and
props galore. The ceiling
over the main auditorium is
filled with costumes.
Opening night in the
summer of 2005 demon-
strated the talent and resil-
iency of the theater folks we
have here in Florence. The
leading lady of “I Do, I Do”
sprained her ankle during
dress rehearsal the previous
evening, but the show did
go on. Local talent rallied
with musicians and songs
making the opening gala a
remarkable evening.
Theater can always be a
surprise.
Over the years, there have
been more than 40 produc-
tions at The Florence Play-
house. The building has an
ambiance that lends itself to
the magic created within its
walls. It has been silent for
a few years while John took
some time off — but now it
is back.
It’s About Time Produc-
tions, the local theater com-
pany founded by longtime
Florence thespians Judy Ad-
ams and Victoria Seitzinger,
has a new lease agreement
with Flaherty. The two are
opening their run with a
production of “The Red
Velvet Cake War,” a wacky
comedy that is guaranteed
to get you smiling and keep
you laughing.
So grab your family and
friends and come on down
to Historic Old Town Flor-
ence and its famous Flor-
ence Playhouse for a fabu-
lous time and step back into
history with us.
Tickets are $20, available
at the door, by calling 541-
999-9392 or at the Florence
Playhouse box office. Box
office hours will be from 4
to 6 p.m., Thursday through
Sunday.
A Cool Walk by Two Lakes
The Yachats Coastal
Gems walking group in-
vites the public to join
members on Tuesday,
Sept. 3, in Florence to ex-
plore both sides of Honey-
man State Park along the
shores of Woahink and
Cleawox lakes in a beau-
tiful and peaceful park
setting.
Dogs are allowed but
must be on a six-foot
non-extendable lead to
walk with them and own-
ers must carry and use
appropriate cleanup ma-
terials.
The 5k (3.1 miles) walk
is rated 1B for fairly level
footing on natural trails.
The 12k (7.5 miles) [all
three sections] walk is
rated 2B for those same
trails and a couple of easy
hills.
The distance and speed
of walking is tailored to
those at the walk that day.
Walking sticks and sturdy
shoes recommended.
The Yachats Coastal
Gems will meet first at
the Sportsman, 249 High-
way 101, at 9:45 a.m. then
drive to the walk at 10
a.m. Though people may
share rides to the walk
start, please do not leave
vehicles in the Sportsman
parking lot during the
walk.
Call Maryann at 541-
961-4279 for more infor-
mation or email yachats-
coastalgems@gmail.com.
On the day of walk, please
use text or phone.
240
HOURS
Is your family prepared?
If an emergency happens in your community,
it may take emergency workers some time to reach you.
You should be prepared to take care of yourself and
your family for a minimum of 240 hours.
Get your emergency fi rst aid kit started with these essentials:
❑ First aid manual
❑ Aspirin or pain relievers
❑ Laxatives, diarrhea medicine
❑ Rubbing alcohol, petroleum jelly
❑ Soap, salt, baking soda
❑ Sanitary napkins, matches
❑ Triangular bandages
❑ Elastic bandages, pressure dressings
❑ Cotton balls, disposable diapers
❑ Scissors, needles, tweezers
❑ Popsicle sticks, splints, heavy string
❑ Thermometer, paper tape
❑ Syrup of Ipecac
❑ Personal prescription medications
In 2019 we will be celebrating the 80th anniversary
of our business in Florence. It is time to express the
appreciation and gratitude we feel, and have always felt, for
the friendship, trust and loyalty of those who live in this
community. It is your confi dence in us and your continued
patronage that has made these 80 years such a pleasurable
experience. Th ank you.
Johnston Motor Company
Since 1939
This message brought to you by the West Lane
Emergency Operations Group. www.wleog.org
2150 Hwy. 101 • Florence
(541) 997-3475 • 1-800-348-3475
IDENTIFY • PREPARE • SURVIVE
Walk-In Tubs
A Great Big THANK YOU...
Th ank you to the 237 people
who attended our Car Show Event!
It was a pleasure to have all of you there!
We would also like to thank the
Hanson Family Singers who captivated us
with their talent and Automotive Solutions Inc.
for helping Florence families.
Th ank you to these businesses
for making the Raffl e a success:
• Florence in Bloom for the $50.00 gift card
• Fred Meyer for their donation
• Coastal Fitness for their 6 month gift card
• Ace Hardware for the $100.00 gift card
• Bi-Mart for the $100.00 gift card and
• Shorewood Senior Living for the $750 visa gift
card, the free lunch and giving everyone
a very good time. It was our pleasure!
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Th is gathering was a benefi t event for
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you want to make a donation, please drop it by
the Shorewood Senior Living offi ce. We were
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