Polk County Itemizer-Observer • February 25, 2015 17A
Polk County Schools/Education
Love story coming to WOU stage
By Emily Mentzer
The Itemizer-Observer
MONMOUTH — The
road to love can be fast and
simple, or it can be long and
rocky.
For Jane Bennet and Mr.
Bingley, love clicks in place
as easily as puzzle pieces. But
for Jane’s sister, Elizabeth,
and Mr. Bingley’s friend, Mr.
Darcy, things of the heart are
more complicated.
Jane, Elizabeth and their
three other sisters experi-
ence the journey of love,
courtship and manners in
Jane Austen’s “Pride and
Prejudice,” presented by
Western Oregon University’s
Department of Theatre and
Dance, starting Thursday.
Curtain is at 7:30 p.m.
For Jeff Presler, a WOU
junior and Monmouth na-
tive, relating to Mr. Darcy’s
bluntly honest character is
not too difficult.
“He’s a lot like me, in a
way,” Presler said, “except he
has all the filters I normally
don’t.”
As for Darcy’s romantic
interest, Elizabeth, it isn’t his
fault she often misunder-
stands him, Presler said.
“She takes things the
wrong way,” he said, but
that’s not something he’s
unfamiliar with in his life ei-
ther. “It’s easy for people to
misunderstand you. It hap-
pens a lot in my life.”
Janelle Davis fell in love
with “Pride and Prejudice”
when she was 13 years old.
Davis said she is not a ro-
Showtime!
What: Western Ore-
gon University Depart-
ment of Theatre and
Dance’s production of
Jane Austen’s “Pride and
Prejudice.”
When: Thursday
through Saturday, 7:30
p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m.
matinee performance;
and March 4-7, 7:30 p.m.
Where: WOU’s Rice
Auditorium, 345 Mon-
mouth Ave. N., Mon-
mouth.
Admission: $12 gen-
eral admission; $10 for
seniors; $7 for students.
Tickets may be pur-
chased from the box of-
fice between 12:30 and
4:30 p.m. Monday
through Thursday, or
starting at 6 p.m. on per-
formance nights.
Of note: Performanc-
es on March 5 and March
6 will be interpreted in
American Sign Language.
For more informa-
tion: 503-838-8462 (box
office); 503-838-8461
(theater and dance de-
partment).
mantic person, but neither
is her character, Elizabeth.
“She’s smart and usually
says what she means to say,”
Davis said. “She’s confident,
which is cool. I like it.”
At the head of this family
of single young women who
must find single, wealthy
matches is an oft-times
overbearing mother, played
EMILY MENTZER/ Itemizer-Observer
The Bennet sisters, played by Sarah Cotter, Samantha Dunaway, Emily Scott, Janelle
Davis and Shannen Brouner, consult with their mother, played by Belladina Starr.
by Belladina Starr.
When Starr enters the
stage, other characters roll
their eyes because they
know Mrs. Bennet is a busy-
body.
“She is very loud and ob-
noxious and gossipy and re-
ally out of control,” said
Starr. “That was very differ-
ent for me. I’m a lot more
soft-spoken and I think be-
fore I speak.”
Mrs. Bennet is “crazy all
the time and ‘accidentally’
speaks too loudly,” Starr
added. “She’s always talking.
Sometimes she talks for no
reason, it’s just to keep
someone there longer. She’s
manipulative.”
Mr. Bingley’s sister tries
to warn him about marry-
ing the beautiful Jane,
played by Shannen Brouner
— a marriage to a Bennet
girl means Mrs. Bennet as a
mother-in-law.
Mr. Bingley, played by De-
clan Hertel, isn’t fazed.
“Mr. Bingley ends up with
the prettiest girl in the room,
the most handsome girl in
the room,” Hertel said.
The character was not dif-
ficult for Hertel to relate to.
“He’s charming, and up,”
he said, referring to Bing-
ley’s and his own gregarious
natures.
The cast of 29 includes two
Polk County natives. Presler,
from Monmouth, is joined by
Andrew Thornton of Dallas,
who plays Mr. Denny.
“Pride and Prejudice” was
adapted for the stage by
Joseph Hanreddy and J.R.
Sullivan. The play is directed
by Western theater professor
David Janoviak.
MES principal leaving for post with Central office
Itemizer-Observer staff report
MONMOUTH — Dorie
Vickery always tries to call
children by their names.
“It’s a big deal to know a
child by their name,” said
Vickery, principal at Mon-
mouth Elementary School
for the past five years.
Vickery, 49, has accepted a
job at the Central School Dis-
trict office, which means at
the end of
June, she
will step
away from
working
with stu-
dents on a
personal
level and
Vickery
into help-
ing them on a grander scale.
Her new job, director of
curriculum and instruction,
was a position the district
eliminated in 2008 during
budget cuts.
Factors including Com-
mon Core State Standards,
proficiency grading and new
assessments — such as
Smarter Balanced Assess-
ments — created the need
to reinstate the position.
Curriculum needs to be
aligned, such as the transition
in learning math between
fifth and sixth grades, she said.
Vickery said she also will
work with principals to help
establish a possible alterna-
tive education program for
high school and help com-
municate with teachers, stu-
dents and parents about
proficiency grading.
While she said she will
miss the professional staff
and teachers at MES — and
the students — she is look-
ing forward to the slower
pace at the district office.
“This is a very tough job
with some very long hours
to it,” Vickery said of being
principal at MES. “I’m look-
ing forward to a different
pace and ability for a range
of influence.”
Huckestein
appointed
Chemeketa
president
Itemizer-Observer staff report
SALEM — Chemeketa
Community College’s Board
of Education voted unani-
mously Feb. 18 to appoint
Julie Huckestein president of
the college district.
Huckestein has served as
interim president since June
2014.
“I would do this job with or
without interim in the title,”
Huckestein
said. “I care
so much
about the
college, but
I can only
do part of
the work
here. Our
staff does
Huckestein
so much
more than I do. I’m looking
forward to us accomplishing
exciting things together.”
Huckestein has worked at
Chemeketa since 2001. She
served as vice president and
chief financial officer before
being appointed interim
president. She holds a mas-
ter’s degree in education pol-
icy and administration from
Portland State, a bachelor’s
degree in management and
organizational leadership
from George Fox and an as-
sociate degree in business
administration from Linn-
Benton Community College.
Chemeketa concluded a
nationwide search for a new
president Feb. 10, when the
board voted in a special public
meeting to accept the recom-
mendation of its Presidential
Search Advisory Committee
that none of the 21 applicants
for the job move forward for
further consideration.
The 15-member search
committee included Dallas
resident and former Dallas
School District Superinten-
dent Christy Perry, now su-
perintendent of the Salem-
Keizer School District.
Community Events Calendar brought to you by these Monmouth Business Association participants.
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Monmouth Area Community Events Calendar
DownTown
Trends
142 Highway 99 West
503- 838-1445
Monmouth
Monmouth
Senior
Center
180 S. Warren St.
Monmouth
355 N Pacific Ave.,
Ste A
Monmouth
503-838-4268
Serving Polk Co. Since 1875
503-623-2373
503-838-3467
www.windermere.com
297½ N. Pacific Hwy
Carpet Hero
March 1 Polk Flea Market. Polk County’s oldest and largest market with 183 tables selling
antiques, collectibles, tools, etc. 9 am to 3 pm, Polk County Fairgrounds & Event
Center 520 S. Pacific Hwy W Rickreall. Website: www.polkfleamarket.com
March 6 NO SCHOOL! Grading Day grades k-12 Central School District.
March 7 Polk County FolkLife Festival. Mark your calendars and join us for the launch of
Polk County's FIRST annual Folklife Festival on Saturday, March 7 from
10:00 AM to 10:00 PM! Our mission is to preserve and promote the cultural and
ethnic traditions of the people in the Mid-Willamette Valley through
folk music, dance, exhibits, arts, crafts, and food. Visit our facebook page for all the
details! www.facebook.com/polkcountyfolklife. This will be an ethnically diverse fes-
tival including bands, performing arts, children's craft area, craft vendors, food,
beer and wine garden and yes, a jam area! $10 per person OR $5 per person + 5
cans of food. Children 12 & under FREE Polk County Fairgrounds, 520 S. Pacific
Hwy, Rickreall.
March 13 MICC 50th Annual Community Awards Banquet. (see below for more info)
March 14 & 15 Rickreall Gun Show. Buy ♦ Sell ♦ Trade ♦ Gun ♦ Knive ♦ Ammunition and
more... Food available on site. Adults $6.00, Kids under 12 free, Free parking.
Sat. hours - 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Sunday hours - 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM.
March 16 Meet the Authors: Oregon's Main Street US Highway 99 – Join us on a virtual
trip down Oregon’s Main Street: U.S. Highway 99 with the authors, Jo-Brew and
Pat Edwards, in the meeting room at the Independence Event Center, 555 S. Main
St. from 7 to 9 p.m.. Admission is free but books will be available for purchase and
the authors will be delighted to sign them as well!
March 17 Happy St. Patrick’s Day everyone! From the MBA
March 21 Polk County Museum Family Day! 1:30 – 4 p.m. Every year we throw open our
doors and invite our neighbors to come join us celebrate our pioneer heritage. We
like to focus on events that children will enjoy--but folks of all ages will have a good
time. This year we will again have Civil War re-enacters sharing their passion with
demonstrations, along with various folks sharing pioneer skills, such as butter-mak-
ing, weaving, spinning, making lace, among others. We will also have a photo-
graph opportunity that provides a personal souvenir for each child. Location: Polk
County Museum, 560 Pacific Highway W., Rickreall. Admission is free.
March 23 - 27 SPRING BREAK! Grades k-12 Central School District.
2015 Annual Community Awards Banquet
Join us as we celebrate businesses, organizations, and individuals
for their contributions and support of our community during our
50th Annual Community Awards Banquet!
Date: Friday, March 13 Location: Eola Hills Wine Cellars
Time: Social hour begins at 5:30 PM;
Programming begins at 6:30 PM Tickets: $40 per person Register at micc.or.org
503-838-2951
165 E. Main St.
Monmouth
503-838-1773
410 E. Main St.
Monmouth
503-838-1141
297 N Pacific
Monmouth
Every Tuesday 10:15 AM, Toddler Story Time for ages 18 mos. to 3 yrs. Monmouth
Public Library, 168 S. Ecols St.
Every Tuesday 7:30 PM - Al-Anon Family Groups, which includes Alateen for younger
members, meets at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, in Dallas. Al-Anon is an established
community resource for people affected by another's use of alcohol. The resource can
aid the recovery process for the entire family through hope, comfort and loving inter-
change among members having a common problem. For more information call 503-
370-7363, leave a message - you will be contacted.
Second and Fourth Tuesdays - 9:15 to 11 a.m. Mothers of Preschoolers (MoPS)
meets at Monmouth Christian Church, 959 W. Church St., Monmouth.
Every Wednesday 10:15 AM, Preschool Story Time for ages 3-6 years. Monmouth
Library, 168 S. Ecols St.
Every Wednesday 5-6 p.m. Rally For Peace, in front of the Main St. Park
Every Wednesday Helping Hands Emergency Food Bank, 10am to noon, Monmouth
Christian Church, 959 Church St. W., Monmouth. For eligible community members;
available every Wednesday. 541-404-6517.
Every Wednesday 6:30 PM - Al-Anon Family Groups, which includes Alateen for
younger members, meets at Trinity Lutheran Church at 320 Fir Villa Rd. in Dallas. Al-
Anon is an established community resource for people affected by another's use of al-
cohol. The resource can aid the recovery process for the entire family through hope,
comfort and loving interchange among members having a common problem. For more
information call 503-370-7363, leave a message - you will be contacted.
Every 2nd Wednesday Monmouth-Independence Chamber lunch forum. 12 p.m. to 1
p.m. Location changes. Please call Jean Love or visit our Calendar of Events at micc-
or.org for more information. 503-838-4268
Every 3rd Wednesday each month. BINGO at the Farm, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM. Come play
BINGO in the Chatoe out at Rogue Farms. Join us every third Wednesday of the month
through 2014! So bring your family and friends and get ready to win! Boards, daubers,
and prizes provided! Rogue Farms Chatoe Tasting Room, 3590 Wigrich Road Independ-
ence, OR
Every Thursday 7 p.m. 314 Cottonwood Way, Monmouth. Polk and Marion County
Women meet to discuss and research alternative/safer approaches to conventional
treatments of hormonal imbalance.
Every 2nd Thursday 7:00 PM Luckiamute Watershed Council (LWC) open meeting.
Monmouth Volunteer Hall. Info: 503-838-8804
Every 3rd Thursday After Hour Mixers with Monmouth-Independence Chamber of
Commerce. Chamber members and friends are invited to join us for our FREE monthly
after-hours mixers. Mixers are held the third Thursday of each month from 5:30 PM to
7:00 PM at member locations. Registration is requested to help the host site properly
prepare. Attendees are encouraged to bring a small giveaway (less than $10) to promote
your business or organization. For location and or more information, contact Jean Love
503-838-4268 or visit our Calendar of Events at micc-or.org for more information.
Every Friday TOPS-Weight Loss Group meets at the Monmouth Church of Christ,
127 Heffley St. N., Monmouth. 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. For more information please feel free
to contact Marilyn at 503-930-7936.
Every 1st Saturday 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM Monmouth Senior Center host breakfast.
All you can eat, Adults $6 Donation, Children 12 & under $3 Donation. For more info:
503 838-5678
First Saturday 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM Mon-Fri 10:00 a.m.-3 p.m.-Crafter’s Cottage at
the Monmouth Senior Center, 180 S. Warren St. Handmade items, watercolors,
needlepoint, towels, bead jewelry, dolls, blankets, sweaters, jellies, etc....New items
always arriving!