A4 • HERMISTONHERALD.COM WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2017 COMMUNITY Brothers Grimm tale seeks youth performers Production off ers opportunity to shine under the spotlight STAFF PHOTO BY TAMMY MALGESINI Tina Ridings looks on while Boyd Sharp tries to shift blame to another character during a past murder mystery fundraiser for Agape House. A Valentine theme is featured during a murder mystery dessert Sunday at Agape House in Hermiston. Love and poison By TAMMY MALGESINI Community Editor Love is in the air and poi- son is in the drink during a murder mystery event pre- sented by Agape House. The sweet valen- tine-themed fundraiser of- fers people a chance to play amateur sleuths while rais- ing money for the nonprofi t organization’s programs. Based in Hermiston, Agape House assists people with ac- cessing basic needs and life skills, including emergency food boxes, transportation assistance, cold weather at- tire and shower facilities. In addition, it manages a shelter for homeless families. “‘Til Death Do We Part ... And We Part Tonight” in- cludes the murder mystery presentation and an array of delectable desserts. The event is Sunday at 2 p.m. in the Altrusa Room at Agape House, 500 Harper Road, Hermiston. Tickets are $15 per person. People should purchase tickets in advance as seating is limited. The storyline centers around Hanna and Harry Heart — legends in their hometown of Amorville, said Dave Hughes, executive director of Agape House. High school sweethearts, Hanna was an all-star cheer- leader and Harry was a state champion quarterback who went on to play professional- ly with the St. Louis Lambs. Purchasing the rights to present the murder mystery production, Hughes made a few modifi cations to the script. Although he didn’t make slashing changes, a knife may be involved in some way — at least by Jodene Hughes, Martha’s House shelter director. Jodene said she most- ly helps behind the scenes during the fundraisers — of- ten cooking, or in the case of the dessert event, cutting the desserts. She said people will have a choice of choco- late cake, a red velvet cake and cheesecakes with a vari- ety of toppings — pick your poison, but not in the literal sense like the victim in the production. The dessert murder mys- tery fi nds the Hearts back in Amorville for a big soirée. The audience will have to fi gure out whodunnit when Dr. Ador Candyman, a nerdy rocket scientist, ends up dead. It appears he con- sumed a poisoned drink, and numerous people had access to his glass. “There are about four or fi ve subplots running through,” Dave said. “Peo- ple have to fi gure out what’s going on.” Dave and Jodene Hughes enjoy the excited chatter as people try to piece together what happened. “Some of them, they laugh so hard,” Jodene said. “It does my heart so good to hear them having fun.” Listening to the buzz, Dave said, makes it clear that audience members are having a good time. The organization hosts murder mystery presentations every few months — with each of them netting about $1,000 for the organization, Hughes said. Hughes said Agape House seems to have found its niche with a dramatic fl air, and their success has intrigued other regional or- ganizations. Hughes said representatives from Habitat for Humanity of Walla Walla will be on hand to learn more about putting on a murder mystery presentation. “That’s a good fuzzy feel- ing for me,” Hughes said. “We can share a fun after- noon and maybe introduce the murder mysteries to Habitat for Humanity.” For more information or to purchase a ticket, call Dave Hughes at 541-567- 8774. By TAMMY MALGESINI Community Editor A fun and magical sto- ryline is featured in an upcoming youth drama production sponsored by the Desert Arts Council. Full of humor and fa- miliarity, “The Poisoned Apple” is a spin-off from the Brothers Grimm fairy tale, “Show White,” said director Jenny Walker. The Hermiston woman said when choosing the produc- tion for the drama class, she wanted to do some- thing that kids would rec- ognize and connect with. But, in actuality, she said, most kids are just excited about a chance to participate in a produc- tion. “They just like being on stage and in the spot- light,” she said. “They love performing for their families.” Walker, who got in- volved with the drama program a couple of years ago, shares the same feel- ing as the kids she di- rects. A performer herself, Walker began helping with the program when she was registering her daughter for “Beauty & the Beast” two years ago. When then-director Vickie Fos- ter retired from the com- munity theater program shortly thereafter, Walker stepped into the role. “The most rewarding thing for me is to see how much they blossom and grow and how much they enjoy putting on the per- formance,” Walker said. Walker said there will be opportunities to partici- pate in backstage activi- ties. Also, she said, as part of the class participants will assist with props, make-up, costuming and other details that come with stage performances. Kids with all skill levels and experience are wel- come to participate. “I just love that each time we put on a produc- tion, we have new kids signing up,” Walker said. Also, Walker said par- ents can volunteer as well — including every- thing from costuming and make-up to props and cu- ing kids where they need to be. Extra help is al- ways welcome, especially during dress rehearsals and performances. For more information or to register, call 541- 667-5018, visit www. hermistonrecreation.com or stop by the recreation office, 180 N.E. Second St., Hermiston. Youths ages 9-18 are in- vited to participate. From Feb. 28 through May 10, the acting classes and re- hearsals are Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 5:15- 7:15 p.m. at the Hermiston Conference Center, 415 S. Highway 395. Offered through Hermiston Parks & Recreation, the cost is $50 for residents of Herm- iston and $63 for non-res- idents. The registration deadline is Friday, Feb. 24. The program’s grand finale features a pair of performances, which are Thursday, May 11 and Friday, May 12 at 6:30 p.m. at Armand Larive Middle School, 1497 S.W. Ninth St., Hermiston. Ad- mission to the shows are $3 at the door or $2, if pre-ordered. The program is de- signed to familiarize stu- dents with all aspects of putting on productions. For students who don’t necessarily want to be in the glare of stage lights, Printed on recycled newsprint VOLUME 111 ● NUMBER 5 Gary L. West | Editor • gwest@hermistonherald.com • 541-564-4532 Tammy Malgesini | Community Editor • tmalgesini@eastoregonian.com • 541-564-4539 Jayati Ramakrishnan | Reporter • jramakrishnan@hermistonherald.com • 541-564-4534 Jade McDowell | Reporter • jmcdowell@eastoregonian.com • 541-564-4536 Jeanne Jewett | Multi-Media consultant • jjewett@hermistonherald.com • 541-564-4531 Shannon Paxton | Offi ce coordinator • spaxton@hermistonherald.com • 541-564-4530 Audra Workman | Multi-Media consultant • aworkman@eastoregonian.com • 541-564-4538 To contact the Hermiston Herald for news, advertising or subscription information: • call 541-567-6457 • e-mail info@hermistonherald.com • stop by our offi ces at 333 E. Main St. • visit us online at: hermistonherald.com ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION RATES Delivered by carrier and mail Wednesdays Inside Umatilla/Morrow counties .......... $42.65 Outside Umatilla/Morrow counties ....... $53.90 Periodical postage paid at Hermiston, OR. 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